Trace-elemental Analysis of Skeletal Remains of Humans and Animals at the Neolithic Settlement in Vedrovice (Czech Republic)
Abstract
On the Neolithic site in Vedrovice chemical composition of bones of 32 animals and 10 human skeletons was examined. Contents of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, N a V, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Y, Cd, Ba, Pb, U, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu were ascertained by means of flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively corepled plasma mass spectrometry.
In human skeletons the highest content of trace elements, including rare soils, was found in newborns. The contents of Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mg, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and U in bones follow an age growth curve.
The Vedrovice Neolithic settlement showed differences in the inorganic content of trace elements in bones of 32 animals (V, Ba) and 10 human skeletons (Cu, Ni). The significance of multi-element analyses lies in the possibility of comparison of diet relationships which are not apparent in small groups of analyzed elements.