Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
06:18
Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
5.2K
Multi analytical technique study of human bones from an archaeological discovery
J I Lachowicz1, S Palomba1, P Meloni2
1Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, I-09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
Summary
Analysis of ancient human hip bones revealed distinct mineral composition differences between pathological and healthy individuals. This study sheds light on paleopathology and diagenesis in skeletal remains.
Area of Science:
- Paleopathology
- Bioarchaeology
- Forensic Anthropology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Disarticulated skeletal remains were recovered during the restoration of San Michele church in Bono, Sardinia.
- The ossuary contained remains from adult males dating between the 14th and 2nd centuries ago.
- Two hip bones exhibited significant pathological lesions, prompting further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone pathology in ancient skeletal remains.
- To characterize the mineral components of bones from the San Michele ossuary.
- To differentiate pathological bones from normal ones based on mineral composition.
Main Methods:
- Multi-analytical study including quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) for elemental analysis (Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Zn).
- Chemometric investigation of ICP-AES data.
- Porosity, crystallinity, and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis on both pathological and non-pathological bone samples.
Main Results:
- Chemometric analysis revealed the effects of diagenesis on bone composition.
- Hypotheses regarding the influence of dietary habits on bone composition were formulated.
- Mineral composition analysis successfully differentiated pathological bones from those of a normal population.
Conclusions:
- Mineral composition analysis is a powerful tool for distinguishing pathological skeletal remains from healthy ones in archaeological contexts.
- The study provides insights into the diagenetic processes affecting ancient bones and potential dietary influences.
- This research contributes to the understanding of paleopathology and bioarchaeology through advanced analytical techniques.
