Renowned forensic anthropologist Robert Mann of the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) has examined more than 15,000 ancient and modern human skeletons throughout his career. This summer, he was invited to analyze human remains from a newly unearthed area in ancient Pompeii, marking one of the most fascinating investigations of his career.
A frequent visitor to Italy, Mann teaches annually at the LABANOF Summer Bone Camp in Pontestura, affiliated with the State University of Milan. This year, he taught 36 students, including medical doctors, archaeologists and biologists. During his trip, he was invited to visit Pompeii, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of a city frozen in time after being buried under volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
“The volcanic eruption presents a unique situation and a challenge as the remains encased in volcanic ash are nearly 2,000 years old and can be extremely fragile to excavate and examine,” said Mann, a professor of anatomy and pathology at JABSOM.
Mann collaborated with a team of expert archaeologists, contributing his extensive knowledge to the ongoing research.
“I can’t really speak about the Pompeii remains as the examination and excavation are underway as we speak. I can say that my trip to ancient Pompeii was perhaps the most interesting and exciting site in my career,” he said. “It was an honor and privilege to visit the site. I hope to return there again next year to assist however I can.”
Beyond Pompeii
Mann’s summer was filled with teaching and research beyond Pompeii. He conducted examinations, delivered lectures and led forensic anthropology workshops in Thailand, Scotland and Germany. His work included studying a newly assembled osteological collection in Bangkok and analyzing the remains of a prisoner guillotined in early 19th-century Germany.
“I’m going to Thailand to teach a three-day forensic anthropology workshop on skeletal trauma in Chiang Mai,” he said. “As always, I see and learn something new every year. Forensic anthropology never ceases to amaze me!”
