Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Copper And Barium As Dietary Discriminants: The Effects Of Diagenesis, J B. Lambert, S V. Simpson, Carole B. Szpunar, J E. Buikstra
Copper And Barium As Dietary Discriminants: The Effects Of Diagenesis, J B. Lambert, S V. Simpson, Carole B. Szpunar, J E. Buikstra
Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works
In skeletons excavated from Woodland sites, copper and barium levels are found to have been contaminated by influx from the soil environment. Electron microprobe scans for both elements show build-up along the outer surface of femur cross sections. Elemental levels for Cu and Ba are lower in the femur or fibula than in the more porous rib. The distribution of Cu in the immediately surrounding soil is highly anisotropic. These observations indicate that Cu and Ba should not be used for dietary inferences about ancient populations without independent evidence that diagenesis is not important.