Postmortem analysis of WWI human remains from Italian glaciers in rare environmental conditions

The authors report the results obtained by a multidisciplinary investigation of nine cases of human remains belonging to unknown Austrian WWI soldiers found in a glacial environment in the North-Eastern Alps. The aim of this research is to investigate the biological profile, pathology and cause of death, and taphonomic details of the soldiers’ bodies preserved in the glacial environment of the Alps. The human remains were recovered by forensic archeological methods. The approach to the postmortem analysis was specifically chosen on a case by case basis according to the conditions of the different corpses, which varied from advanced decomposition to skeletonization. A multidisciplinary approach was applied to the human remains, including anthropological and taphonomical analysis and, in one case, botanic investigations on the intestinal contents. Soft tissues, where present, were mainly saponified, presenting pseudo-mummified areas and only in one case were partially mummified. Trauma analysis revealed several perimortem injuries. In addition peculiar weathering such as cracking, deformations, wear and abrasions were found on the bones of these individuals. This study, by means of a multidisciplinary approach, allowed the recovery and interpretation of much information on the life and death of these men who fought in incredible and merciless conditions, and increases and implements the data provided by documents during the “White War” phase of WWI.