Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18–19th centuries)

IF 1.3 3区地球科学 Q3 PALEONTOLOGY

International Journal of Paleopathology Pub Date : 2025-02-25 DOI:10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006

Alexandra Zinn , Aminte Thomann , Yannick Lefrais , Olivier Dutour , Antony Colombo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

The French medico-historical literature reports the common use of mercury-based treatments until the mid-19th century. An exploratory paleopharmacological approach is presented for detecting mercury in a child’s skeletal remains suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This aims to corroborate written sources and provide a way to better understand disease therapeutic management.

Materials

This study focuses on a 3–4-year-old child showing signs of rickets and possible scurvy from “rue Thubeuf” cemetery (Rouen, late 18–19th centuries). Analysis was carried out on a thoracic vertebral body and the right second deciduous mandibular molar.

Methods

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) provided mercury detection and quantification. Micro-CT analysis was implemented to detect the interglobular dentine potentially related to vitamin D deficiency.

Results

The ED-XRF spectrum showed a mercury peak for the vertebra, none for the molar. The vertebra CV-AAS analysis revealed a high mercury rate of 9.373 mg/kg.

Conclusions

The individual was likely exposed to high mercury levels originating from therapeutic treatment, potentially for vitamin deficiencies, in the last months of life.

Significance

Paleopharmacological analysis is an important tool in the analysis of medical treatment in the past.

Limitations

Soil analysis could contribute to improved knowledge of contamination sources.

Further research

This approach should be expanded to more individuals to better assess the treatment frequency of vitamin deficiency diseases during industrialization.

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来源期刊

International Journal of Paleopathology PALEONTOLOGY-PATHOLOGY

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

25.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Paleopathology is the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains. The International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) will publish original and significant articles on human and animal (including hominids) disease, based upon the study of physical remains, including osseous, dental, and preserved soft tissues at a range of methodological levels, from direct observation to molecular, chemical, histological and radiographic analysis. Discussion of ways in which these methods can be applied to the reconstruction of health, disease and life histories in the past is central to the discipline, so the journal would also encourage papers covering interpretive and theoretical issues, and those that place the study of disease at the centre of a bioarchaeological or biocultural approach. Papers dealing with historical evidence relating to disease in the past (rather than history of medicine) will also be published. The journal will also accept significant studies that applied previously developed techniques to new materials, setting the research in the context of current debates on past human and animal health.