XRF measurements of Zn, Sr and Pb in archaeological bone

Abstract

We study elemental concentrations in archaeological human bone, linked to interest in essential element homeostasis and also uptake of potentially harmful elements; the study of elemental concentrations in ancient skeletal remains can potentially be linked with modern studies, providing a reference to high exposure levels no longer common today. The samples, adult bone from the Romano‐British period, were obtained from Cirencester, located approximately 150 km to the west of London. Some of the remains were found in stone enclosures, others in Pb‐lined enclosures, and yet, others devoid of a record of the form of burial. Using a measurement arrangement consisting of a low‐energy mini‐X‐ray generator and a Si‐PIN detector, results are obtained of periosteal (bone surface) concentrations, the influence of the post‐mortem environment being clearly differentiated from in vivo uptake. Simultaneous multi‐element measurements have been made of Zn, Sr and Pb, with respective concentrations in the range 27 ± 16 to 254 ± 17 µg g −1 ; 33 ± 16 to 124 ± 17 µg g −1 and 44 ± 15 to ~10% Pb g −1 of interrogated medium. Lead‐lined burials result in Pb contamination of the inner (cambium/osteogenic) surface layer of the bone, positively skewing Pb data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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