Population Dynamics in Italy in the Middle Ages: New Insights from Archaeological findings

Studies of settlements in the Italian peninsula indicate that during the Early Middle Ages (6th–9th century) the Italian population was stagnant, whereas a slow but persistent grow followed during the High Middle Ages (10th–13th). However, the components of the dynamics of Italian population in the long period between the Justinian Plague (542) and the Black Death (1348) are practically unknown. In this article, data from anthropometric analysis of the skeletons in 35 Italian cemeteries that date between the 1st century BCE and the 13th century are used to give some new insights on mortality of adults and nutrition. Adult mortality was higher during the Early Middle Ages than during the Roman Empire and the High Middle Ages, suggesting that the stagnation of population was determined by higher mortality. During the Early Middle Ages the nutritional levels were better, as suggested by taller statures, more widespread meat consumption, and longer periods of breastfeeding. We discuss some possible research lines to resolve this apparent contradiction.