Sr-µXRF on human bones, an aid to reconstruct dietary habits

CARACCIOLO, N; BOEYKENS, SUSANA; PALACIOS, OSCAR; KILLIAN GALVÁN, VIOLETA ANAHÍ; OLIVERA, DANIEL E.; VÁZQUEZ, CRISTINA

Amsterdam

Congreso; IV Synchrotron Radiation in Art & Archaeology (SR2A-2010); 2010

Department of Materials Science of Delft University of Technology y el Departement of Chemistry of the University of Antwerp

The purpose of this work is to investigate the suitability of Synchrotron Radiation X-ray micro-Fluorescence to study the distribution of trace elements in human bones. This knowledge can help people to understand environmental conditions, dietary habits of ancient societies and to relate with the composition of soil where bones were found. The bones mineral component has a well-defined chemical composition, made up of calcium, phosphate, hydroxyl, and carbonate. In addition, several trace elements can substitute for these major constituents. These amounts of trace elements in fossil bone depend, in part, on diet and have been used to reconstruct paleodiet. MicroXRF induced by Synchrotron was selected as the analytical technique due the advantages of high sensibility and low detection limits. The samples are belonging to seven human individuals found in the archaeological locality of Doncellas, Jujuy, Argentina. The analysis show the presence of Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Sr, Ba and Pb. Levels of trace elements in bones are reported as the ratio of the concentration of the element to that of Ca (e.g., the Sr/Ca ratio) as it ussually done in this cases. Results suggest an omnivora diet taking into account similar values for Zn, Sr, Cu and Ba.