Synchrotron microprobe determination of the elemental distribution in human teeth of the Neolithic period

摘要

The purpose of the present work was to investigate whether the distribution of trace elements in human teeth of the Neolithic period in Portugal can reflect environmental conditions, dietary habits and uptake of some elements from the surrounding soil. An x-ray fluorescence set-up with microprobe capabilities, installed at the LURE synchrotron (France), was used for elemental analysis of teeth. The resolution of the synchrotron microprobe was 100 mum and the energy of the incident beam was 18 keV. The synchrotron microprobe concentration profiles for V, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr and Pb in different regions of the tooth are discussed and correlated with the results obtained by cranio-facial studies. The Mn and Fe concentrations were much higher in Neolithic teeth than in those of present humans. This may suggest uptake of both elements from the soil. Low concentration levels of Sr were found, which can be correlated with dietary habits. Moreover, the Pb concentration was very low in all the teeth analysed, in agreement with the low pollution levels of this element in this population. All samples were analysed without any chemical preparation. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.