BJ MAGEE, SG SHERIDAN, Department of Anthro-pology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN  46556,   DP VAN GERVEN, and DL GREENE, Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO  80309

Few analyses have been conducted on fossilized human bone to date.  Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether reliable elemental concentrations could be established for partially fossilized (permineralized) remains, and if so, would those values prove reliable for reconstructions of ancient diet.

A Mesolithic Nubian population was utlized for this study.  Recent 14C dating has placed the remains at 15,000 years old. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy  (ICP-AES) was used to determine minor and trace element concentrations for 25 adults aged 18-50+.  A rib and 3rd metatarsal were analyzed for each individual.

Diagenetic change was assessed using multiple criteria.  Solubility profiles established the efficacy of the cleaning procedure.  Quality of bone mineral preservation was tested by comparing the Mesolithic Ca/P ratio, %Ca, and %P to modern published values.  There was a significant differ-ence in Ca/P ratios (p¾0.05) between the Mesolithic Nubians (3.16) and the modern ratio of 2.16.  Although %Ca (36.5%) fell within the modern range of 37-39%, %P (11.7%) varied significantly from the 15-17% modern range. Also, elements such as Ba, V, and Fe were elevated by an order of magnitude above the modern values.  The data indicate that diagenesis occurred in the Mesolithic bone, however, the degree of postdepositional alteration appears consistent for all individuals in the collection.

Therefore, an analysis of elemental variation by sex and age was undertaken.  Na (male x = 1636.22 ppm; female x = 2097.75 ppm; p=0.034), and Ca (male x = 351950.86 ppm; female x = 385784.58 ppm; p=0.039) showed significant variation by sex.

Comparison between age groups (20-29; 30-39; 40-50+ yrs) using ANOVA indicated a significant increase in Zn among females as age increased (p=0.05). Although not significant (p=0.13), male Zn levels decreased with age.  When Zn was regressed on age, a strong correlation was found for each sex. Females demonstrated a significant age increase (p=0.034; r=0.53), while males showed a marked decrease with age (r=0.43; p=0.037).  Interestingly, female levels (x=1247.40) were nearly twice that of males (x=752.80).  Zinc is considered a stable element in the depostitional context, and has been associated with the consumption of animal protein.

*This research was supported by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association and the Institute for Study in the Liberal Arts.