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Spatially-Resolved Ca Isotopic and Trace Element Variations in Human Deciduous Teeth Record Diet and Physiological Change

Author

Listed:
  • Qiong Li
  • Alessia Nava
  • Linda M. Reynard
  • Matthew Thirlwall
  • Luca Bondioli
  • Wolfgang Müller

Abstract

Dental enamel represents an important mineralized archive of an individual’s early life. Previously, isotopic (Ca) or trace element ratios (Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca) have been used to reveal dietary and weaning histories, although few studies have utilized both proxies to evaluate the respective results. Here we report histologically-defined, spatially-resolved Ca-isotope (laser-cut & TIMS) and trace element ratio (Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca; LA-ICPMS) profiles along the enamel-dentine-junction in three deciduous dental crowns of three early twentieth century Italian infants (Modern-22, 27, 29). Modern-27 and Modern-29 display overall similar patterns of Ca-isotope variation and reflect an overall increase of >1.0‰ in δ44/40Ca across and after birth. Whilst the Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca signals of Modern-27 suggest a mixed breast-formula feeding, the two elemental proxies in Modern-29 hint at nearly exclusive breastfeeding until ∼4 months, followed by introduction of formula. A ∼0.5‰ δ44/40Ca decrease across and after birth together with Sr/Ca ratios in Modern-22 suggest a dominant breastfeeding history for the first ∼5–8 months. Enamel Ca-isotope data alone are not sufficient to distinguish between breastfed or formula-fed infants. In addition, Ca-isotope profiles in deciduous enamel suggest a connection between prominent physiological stress like birth and negative Ca-isotope excursions, underlining the physiological overprint of Ca-isotope signatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiong Li & Alessia Nava & Linda M. Reynard & Matthew Thirlwall & Luca Bondioli & Wolfgang Müller, 2022. "Spatially-Resolved Ca Isotopic and Trace Element Variations in Human Deciduous Teeth Record Diet and Physiological Change," Environmental Archaeology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(5), pages 474-483, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:yenvxx:v:27:y:2022:i:5:p:474-483
    DOI: 10.1080/14614103.2020.1758988
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