An improved method for estimating original mineral contents in excavated bone using sulfur |
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Authors: | Masa-oki Yamada Takeshi Minami Masayo Ichii Yuko Okazaki Masako Utsumi Setsuko Tohno Yoshiyuki Tohno |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Anatomy, Nara Medical University, 634 Kashihara, Nara, Japan;(2) Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kinki University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, 577 Higashi-Osaka, Osaka, Japan |
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Abstract: | Trace element analysis in excavated bones is complicated by the lack of a reliable index for estimating the original amount
of bone material. In this study, we subjected modern human bones to alkali treatment to simulate aging. Alkali treatment of
vertebrae with attached muscle did not affect sulfur (S) content; it increased the magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and zinc
(Zn) contents, and tended to decrease iron (Fe) content of the bones. When vertebrae cleaned of muscle were used, alkali treatment
did not affect S and Fe contents but increased Mg, P, Ca, and Zn contents Ca and S contents were higher in excavated bones
(200–1300 yr old) than in their surrounding soils. In contrast, S, Mg, and Ca contents per dry weight did not differ between
the excavated bones and the alkali-treated modern bones. These results indicate that S can provide a more accurate index of
excavated bones than the often-used Ca content or dry wt measures, especially for bones excavated from calcium-rich soils. |
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Keywords: | Bone elements bone excavation paleosteology anthropology |
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