Comparative analysis of fluorine content in the teeth of Renaissance aristocrats. A PIGE-based paleopathological study across different regions

This study investigates fluorine content in the teeth of two 16th-century Italian Renaissance groups. The aim was to examine the relationship between paleo-environmental conditions and dental health in these elite populations.

Teeth from three Neapolitan nobles buried in San Domenico Maggiore (Naples) and four members of the Medici family buried in the Basilica of San Lorenzo (Florence) have been analysed.

Fluorine concentrations in dental enamel and roots were measured using Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) at the NEW AGLAE accelerator within the IPERION HS program. Results were evaluated alongside existing paleopathological data on dental preservation and lesions in both groups.

PIGE analysis revealed differences in fluorine content between the populations. Individuals from Naples, a volcanically active region with fluorine-rich water sources, exhibited higher fluorine concentrations and reduced severity of dental pathology. In contrast, the Medici, who consumed alkaline-earth bicarbonate waters typical of Tuscany, showed lower fluorine levels and more pronounced dental disease.

These findings support the hypothesis that environmental fluorine exposure contributed to differences in oral health. The study highlights the influence of local geochemical conditions on dental pathology and demonstrates the value of non-destructive ion beam techniques in paleopathological research.

The limited sample size and focus on elite individuals restrict broader generalization. Other factors, including diet and hygiene, likely also contributed to the observed differences.

Future studies should include individuals from diverse social and geographic contexts and integrate isotopic and dietary analyses to clarify determinants of dental pathology in past populations.