Sant'Ambrogio looks at us: "The dead don't lie, the newspapers do"

Milan, December 30, 2021 – the face In 3D from Sant’Ambrogio There, within easy reach: they can be admired and touched (with appropriate measures to combat Covid) in the Church of San Vittore in Sel Douroro, inside Cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. It is a continuous play of signs between the gold mosaic on the vault and the scientifically recreated statue Laboratory of Anthropology and Forensic Dentistry (Labanov) of Milan State University, led by anatomist Cristina Cattaneo.

Asymmetrical cheekbones, prominent ears, and a significant nose: they actually look alike, and even if the wrinkles were due to the interpretation, her sister Marceline would definitely recognize it. this statue It is the first tangible result of one The research that will continue in the coming months, Also with the analysis of Ambrose’s DNA, which Labanof chief Davide Porta testified, starting with the biological file obtained from the remains to trace identity, and the application of a forensic method of facial reconstruction.

But there are none Only Ambrose and the martyrs Gervasio and Protasio At the center of Labanov’s historical analyses. Two thousand years of Milan’s history has been preserved in the bones. “And the skeletons, compared to the historical documents, are more honest and objective, they do not tell us what they want to tell us” confirms Cristina Cattaneo, Professor of Forensic Medicine at State University and Director of Labanov, who will open His Museum in Milan. “We are finishing the preparations Science Museum for Human Rights ”, An anatomist, called to solve the most thorny crime cases, expects from Stefano Cosci to Yara Gambiracio.

There will be a historical part with Old Milan figures, Protasio, Gervasio, Ambrogio, But not only. “The ancient part talks about skeletons that are two thousand years old over time – explains Cattaneo – and tells us what other historical sources don’t tell us. They will tell us who are the most vulnerable. How women, children and immigrants were treated, how discrimination, justice and violence were questioned. Aspects not It is remembered by historical texts, but it can be reconstructed thanks to the language of the bones. ” across more than Seven thousand skeletons. “In Milan there is a cemetery in all eras, starting with the Roman era, under the Polyclinic and Cattolica. There are a lot of people underground, let’s talk about our identity, how discriminatory behaviors have changed, if we forget or less violence. “

The journey and investigation into the bones of the city begins, in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Supervisory Authority From the second century to the present day. From the historical part of the Museum, the recent pages will be re-read to reach the clearest legitimate spirit, to address the issue of human rights protection, as well as retell the task of giving a face to the outcasts. “The journey is just beginning – concludes Cattaneo – but we like to think about starting The path of knowledge to justice and rights. Starting with a historical perspective to make us understand how our sciences, anthropology, and forensics, the study of bones can show us who we were and where we’re going, who were and who are the greatest victims of violence, and others, without political filters or otherwise. We will discover unexpected things that we did not expect.”