Often referred to as the “Father of Archaeology,” his original name was Ciriaco de’ Pizzicolli (Cyriacus). Born in the bustling Italian port city of Ancona, Cyriacus had been celebrated as a pioneer in the rediscovery and preservation of classical antiquity, and unlike many humanists who focused solely on manuscripts, he championed the direct observation of monuments and inscriptions.

Cyriacus lived in a period marked by profound health risks, limited medical knowledge, and the lingering shadow of the Black Death. From the 1420s onward, he traveled widely, to Greece, the Levant, Asia Minor, and even North Africa. These journeys, though intellectually fruitful, were perilous. Travel by sea was hazardous, and long voyages in cramped, unsanitary ships fostered outbreaks of disease. Food spoilage and water contamination were common, along with storms or prolonged delays at sea. Moreover, Cyriacus traveled at a time when plague outbreaks still occurred, particularly in port cities such as Venice and Genoa. Constantinople and Alexandria were notorious for plague contagion.

The medical understanding of plague was based on the miasma theory, which attributed disease to “bad air” rather than to microbial infection. Physicians advised travelers to carry aromatic substances like rosemary, rue, and vinegar-soaked sponges to ward off the “corrupted air.” Cities implemented quarantine regulations, confining travelers for up to 40 days (quaranta giorni) before entry. Cyriacus, passing through multiple maritime hubs, would have been subject to such restrictions and the accompanying risk of infection.

Climbing ruins and excavating inscriptions exposed archeologists to cuts, sprains, and infections—serious in an era without antisepsis or antibiotics. Common treatments for wounds consisted of washing wounds with wine (for its perceived purifying qualities), applying honey or herbal poultices, and bandaging. Physicians might recommend cauterization for persistent infections, a painful process performed without anesthesia. Cyriacus risked contracting malaria in the marshy coastal regions and in the Levant, where mosquito-borne illnesses were rampant.

The physical demands of Cyriacus’s work posed many medical challenges. Climbing ruins, lifting stone fragments, and enduring harsh climates exposed him to injuries, dehydration, and sunstroke. Without modern footwear or protective gear, long treks over rocky terrain could result in infections from wounds or joint inflammation. Documentation suggests that Cyriacus was robust and resilient, but the cumulative toll of decades of travel weakened his health over time.

Cyriacus’ achievements were monumental. He recorded inscriptions, sketched ruins, and compiled observations in his Commentaria, much of which was lost in a fire in 1514. He died in 1452, possibly in Cremona, at an advanced age. The precise cause of death remains unknown.