Reconstructing an Individual’s Life History by Using Multi-Analytical Approach: The Case of Sofia Kaštelančić née di Prata

The study aims to reconstruct the life history of an individual whose skeleton was recovered during the excavation of the late medieval Pauline monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Moslavina Mountain, Croatia. The monastery was one of the most important ecclesiastical centres in continental Croatia during the 14th/15th centuries CE and was abandoned between 1520 and 1544 due to fear of imminent Ottoman attacks. The inscription and coat of arms on the tombstone of a tomb located in the chancel, next to the main altar, indicate that the skeleton belongs to Sofia Kaštelančić née di Prata (di Pordenone), a member of Croatian late medieval high-ranking nobility. We conducted a conventional bioarchaeological study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis, paleoradiological imaging (CT/CBCT scanning), and three-dimensional facial reconstruction. The skeleton belongs to a middle-aged woman between 40 and 50 years old with an estimated stature of about 161 cm. Numerous pathological changes, such as ante mortem tooth loss, caries, abscess, linear enamel hypoplasia, dysodontiasis, and osteophytosis were observed, with the most notable pathology being the fracture of the right ankle, a fact also confirmed by CT scanning. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic values are consistent with a terrestrial diet based on C3 plants with no marine input, and the consumption of large quantities of animal-based proteins. Three-dimensional facial reconstruction made it possible for the first time in over 500 years to obtain the approximate physical appearance of the individual. The presented results are consistent with the hypothesis that the skeleton probably belongs to Sofia Kaštelančić. Nevertheless, none of the observed osteological traits are individually or collectively diagnostic of Sofia, so, in the absence of individualising evidence, the identification remains hypothetical rather than demonstrative.