Trace elements in buried human bones: intra-population variability of Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios--diet or diagenesis?
A comparative analysis of trace element data of human skeletal material from four archaeological sites is presented. We show that the state of histomorphological preservation of bone, which is a measurement for the degree of its diagenetic alteration, closely corresponds to the Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios at an intra-population level. This study challenges the validity of dietary studies that are based on the presently used procedures for sample preparation and subsequent evaluation of strontium and barium concentrations.
Fabig
Alexander
A
Department of Historical Anthropology and Human Ecology, Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Herrmann
Bernd
B
D001464:Barium / Q000032:analysis*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry*; D002102:Cadaver; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D004032:Diet; D005858:Germany; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009027:Mortuary Practice; D013324:Strontium / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D014131:Trace Elements; D001464:Barium; D002118:Calcium; D013324:Strontium