Skeletal Remains from Late Roman Period: »As Old as Diocletian\u27s Palace«

In 2000, human skeletal remains were discovered in Split (Croatia). As archaeologists confirmed, it was an ancient skeleton accompanied by ceramics and bracelet characteristic for late Roman period whose possible violent death was excluded. The bone sample was radiocarbon dated by AMS to 1750 years. DNA was successfully extracted from the bone sample and subsequently typed using mt DNA and STR systems. The metal content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in flame mode. Mercury concentration was determined by direct consecutive measures taken with a mercury analyzer. According to our results, we consider that the bones could belong to the one of the last citizens of the Diocletian’s Palace

Skeletal Remains from Late Roman Period: »As Old as Diocletian\u27s Palace«

In 2000, human skeletal remains were discovered in Split (Croatia). As archaeologists confirmed, it was an ancient skeleton accompanied by ceramics and bracelet characteristic for late Roman period whose possible violent death was excluded. The bone sample was radiocarbon dated by AMS to 1750 years. DNA was successfully extracted from the bone sample and subsequently typed using mt DNA and STR systems. The metal content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in flame mode. Mercury concentration was determined by direct consecutive measures taken with a mercury analyzer. According to our results, we consider that the bones could belong to the one of the last citizens of the Diocletian’s Palace

Monitoring content of cadmium, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium and manganese in tea leaves by electrothermal and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry.

Due to the simplicity of tea preparation (pouring hot water onto different dried herbs) and its high popularity as a beverage, monitoring and developing a screening methodology for detecting the metal content is very important. The concentrations of Cd, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg and Mn in 11 different samples of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), linden (Tilia L.) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) purchased at local herbal pharmacy were determined using electrothermal atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The concentrations determined were: Cd (0.012 - 0.470 mg kg-1), Ca (5209 - 16340 mg kg-1), Cu (22.01 - 33.05 mg kg-1), Fe (114.2 - 440.3 mg kg-1), Pb (0.545 - 2.538 mg kg-1), Mg (2649 - 4325 mg kg-1) and Mn (34.00 - 189.6 mg kg-1). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify factors (soil and climate) influencing the content of the measured elements in herbal samples. The proposed methodology developed in this work was successfully applied to the detection of metals in herbal samples. The analysis showed that the content of toxic metals in herbal teas was below the maximum dose recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)

The concentration of metals in archaeological bones and life habitants of archaeological people

Čovjek je oduvijek okružen metalima. Međutim, unos i raspodjela metala tijekom povijesti se mijenjao. U radu su analizirani uzorci osteoloških ostataka iz razdoblja 9. st. na sadržaj metala otkrivenih na lokaciji Ostrovice (bribirska županija) i Naklice (kliška županija). Uspoređeni su sa skupinom recentnih kostiju. Određen je sadržaj toksičnih metala (Pb, Cd i Hg) i arheološki važnih metala (Ca, Sr, Zn, Cu, Fe i Mn) primjenom instrumentalne metode atomske apsorpcijske spektrometrije (AAS). Točnost i preciznost metode potvrđena je analizom standardnog referentnog materijala. Rad je doprinos dosadašnjim spoznajama o životu i načinu prehrane starohrvatske populacije koja je živjela na području kliških i birbirskih krajeva u srednjem vijeku. Razvoj civilizacije i industrijalizacije (21. st.) pridonijeli su povećanju količine toksičnih metala u biosferi u odnosu na razdoblje starog vijeka (9. st.). Utvrđeno je da je arheološka populacija bila manje izložena olovu (median 0,61 mg/kg) naspram današnjeg čovjeka (median 4,42 mg/kg). Različiti životni uvjeti i drugačija prehrana “suvremenog” od srednjevjekovnog čovjeka uvjetovali su drugačiju raspodjelu metala. U radu je određen povećani omjer Sr/Ca (1,23 x 10-3 ) koji ukazuje da je u prehrani uglavnom zastupljena hrana biljnog podrijetla, dok je omjer Zn/Ca izrazito nizak (0,19 x 10-3 ) zbog premalog unosa hrane životinjskog podrijetla. Utvrđena je statistički značajna različita raspodjela metala između spolova. Muškarci su jeli više hrane životinjskog podrijetla (viši cink), dok su žene jele više hrane biljnog podrijetla (viši stroncij). Kod muškaraca ne postoje razlike u raspodjeli metala prema životnoj dobi, dok su kod žena prisutne razlike nastale kao posljedica metaboličkih procesa (žene u dobi 26-39 godina imaju više vrijednosti stroncija). Između arheoloških lokacija također je dokazana statistički značajna razlika kako kod odraslih, tako i kod djece. Utvrđeno je u arheološkim kostima djece za skupinu Naklice izrazito nizak cink (36,06 mg/kg), što ukazuje na vrlo slab unos hrane životinjskog podrijetla.Man has always been surrounded by metals. However, entry and distribution of metals throughout history has remained unchanged. In this paper samples of osteological remains from the period of the 9th century, discovered at the site Ostrovica (Bribir County) and Naklice (Klis County) were analyzed on metal content. The content of all toxic metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) as well as of important archaeological metals (Ca, Sr, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) were determined. The metals were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Accuracy and precision of the method were confirmed by analysis of the standard reference material. This work is a contribution to the existing knowledge of life style and diet of the early Croatian population who lived in the area of Klis and Birbir in the Middle Ages. The development of civilization and industrialization (21th century) contributed to increasing amounts of toxic metals in the biosphere in relation to the Middle Ages (9th century). It was found that exposure of the archaeological population to lead was lower (0,61 mg Pb/kg) than exposure of the "modern" man (4,42 mg Pb/kg). Different living conditions and different diet between the "modern" and the medieval population gave rise to a different distribution of metals. The increased ratio of Sr/Ca (1,23 x 10 -3 ) indicates that the diet wasmainly represented by food of plant origin, while the ratio of Zn/Ca was extremely small (0,19 x 10-3 ) due to small intake of foods of animal origin - meat. There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of metals between men and women. Men ate more food of animal origin (high Zn), while women ate more food of plant origin (high Sr). There were no differences in the distribution of metals between men according to age, while differences were present between women. They were incurred as a result of metabolic processes (Sr is higher in the age group 26-39 years). In relation to the archaeological sites statistically significant differences in both adult and children were also found. A very low concentration of Zn (36,06 mg/kg) was found in archaeological bones belonging to children in the Naklice group, indicating a very low intake of foods of animal origin

The concentration of metals in archaeological bones and life habitants of archaeological people

Čovjek je oduvijek okružen metalima. Međutim, unos i raspodjela metala tijekom povijesti se mijenjao. U radu su analizirani uzorci osteoloških ostataka iz razdoblja 9. st. na sadržaj metala otkrivenih na lokaciji Ostrovice (bribirska županija) i Naklice (kliška županija). Uspoređeni su sa skupinom recentnih kostiju. Određen je sadržaj toksičnih metala (Pb, Cd i Hg) i arheološki važnih metala (Ca, Sr, Zn, Cu, Fe i Mn) primjenom instrumentalne metode atomske apsorpcijske spektrometrije (AAS). Točnost i preciznost metode potvrđena je analizom standardnog referentnog materijala. Rad je doprinos dosadašnjim spoznajama o životu i načinu prehrane starohrvatske populacije koja je živjela na području kliških i birbirskih krajeva u srednjem vijeku. Razvoj civilizacije i industrijalizacije (21. st.) pridonijeli su povećanju količine toksičnih metala u biosferi u odnosu na razdoblje starog vijeka (9. st.). Utvrđeno je da je arheološka populacija bila manje izložena olovu (median 0,61 mg/kg) naspram današnjeg čovjeka (median 4,42 mg/kg). Različiti životni uvjeti i drugačija prehrana “suvremenog” od srednjevjekovnog čovjeka uvjetovali su drugačiju raspodjelu metala. U radu je određen povećani omjer Sr/Ca (1,23 x 10-3 ) koji ukazuje da je u prehrani uglavnom zastupljena hrana biljnog podrijetla, dok je omjer Zn/Ca izrazito nizak (0,19 x 10-3 ) zbog premalog unosa hrane životinjskog podrijetla. Utvrđena je statistički značajna različita raspodjela metala između spolova. Muškarci su jeli više hrane životinjskog podrijetla (viši cink), dok su žene jele više hrane biljnog podrijetla (viši stroncij). Kod muškaraca ne postoje razlike u raspodjeli metala prema životnoj dobi, dok su kod žena prisutne razlike nastale kao posljedica metaboličkih procesa (žene u dobi 26-39 godina imaju više vrijednosti stroncija). Između arheoloških lokacija također je dokazana statistički značajna razlika kako kod odraslih, tako i kod djece. Utvrđeno je u arheološkim kostima djece za skupinu Naklice izrazito nizak cink (36,06 mg/kg), što ukazuje na vrlo slab unos hrane životinjskog podrijetla.Man has always been surrounded by metals. However, entry and distribution of metals throughout history has remained unchanged. In this paper samples of osteological remains from the period of the 9th century, discovered at the site Ostrovica (Bribir County) and Naklice (Klis County) were analyzed on metal content. The content of all toxic metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) as well as of important archaeological metals (Ca, Sr, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) were determined. The metals were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Accuracy and precision of the method were confirmed by analysis of the standard reference material. This work is a contribution to the existing knowledge of life style and diet of the early Croatian population who lived in the area of Klis and Birbir in the Middle Ages. The development of civilization and industrialization (21th century) contributed to increasing amounts of toxic metals in the biosphere in relation to the Middle Ages (9th century). It was found that exposure of the archaeological population to lead was lower (0,61 mg Pb/kg) than exposure of the "modern" man (4,42 mg Pb/kg). Different living conditions and different diet between the "modern" and the medieval population gave rise to a different distribution of metals. The increased ratio of Sr/Ca (1,23 x 10 -3 ) indicates that the diet wasmainly represented by food of plant origin, while the ratio of Zn/Ca was extremely small (0,19 x 10-3 ) due to small intake of foods of animal origin - meat. There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of metals between men and women. Men ate more food of animal origin (high Zn), while women ate more food of plant origin (high Sr). There were no differences in the distribution of metals between men according to age, while differences were present between women. They were incurred as a result of metabolic processes (Sr is higher in the age group 26-39 years). In relation to the archaeological sites statistically significant differences in both adult and children were also found. A very low concentration of Zn (36,06 mg/kg) was found in archaeological bones belonging to children in the Naklice group, indicating a very low intake of foods of animal origin

Y-chromosomal Short Tandem Repeat Haplotypes in Southern Croatian Male Population Defined by 17 Loci

Cilj Odrediti Y-kromosomsku genetsku strukturu na uzorku muškaraca iz južne Hrvatske. Postupci Uzorci krvi prikupljeni su od 166 zdravih muškaraca koji nisu rodbinski povezani na Zavodu za Sudsku Medicinu i u Biokemijskom laboratoriju Kliničke bolnice Split u razdoblju između 2004. i 2007. Genomska DNA je dobivena pomoću standardnih postupaka. Sedamnaest Y-kromosomskih kratkih udvojenih ponovljenih (Y-STR) polimorfnih lokusa (DYS456, DYS389I, DYS390, DYS389II, DYS458, DYS19, DYS385, DYS393, DYS391, DYS439, DYS635, DYS392, GATAH4, DYS437, DYS438, and DYS448) analizirani su pomoću sustava AmpFlSTR Yfiler Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification Kit. Rezultati Pronašli smo 152 različita haplotipa. Ukupna raznolikost haplotipova bila je 0,997289, a pronađen je i and 141 jedinstveni haplotip (84,49%). Najčešći haplotip je bio zajednički samo četvorici muškaraca. Raznolikost lokusa je bila između 0,21292 kod lokusa DYS392 i 0,75546 kod lokusa DYS439. Zaključak Y-kromosomska građa muškaraca iz južne Hrvatske je vrlo raznolika. Kombinacija Y-kromosomskih 17 STR lokusa može se koristiti za identifikaciju i utvrđivanje roditeljstva u muškoj populaciji južne Hrvatske.Aim To define the Y-chromosome genetic structure in a sample of men from southern Croatia. Methods Blood samples were collected from 166 unrelated healthy men from southern Croatia at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Biochemical Laboratory of University Hospital Split between 2004 and 2007. Genomic DNA was extracted using the standard procedures. Seventeen Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (YSTR) polymorphic loci (DYS456, DYS389I, DYS390, DYS389II, DYS458, DYS19, DYS385, DYS393, DYS391, DYS439, DYS635, DYS392, GATAH4, DYS437, DYS438, and DYS448) were analyzed using AmpFlSTR Yfiler Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification Kit. Results We observed 152 different haplotypes. Total haplotype diversity was 0.997289 and 141 haplotypes (84.49%) were unique. The most common haplotype was shared by only 4 men in the study sample. The locus diversity ranged between 0.21292 for DYS392 and 0.75546 for DYS439 locus. Conclusion The Y-chromosome structure in men from southern Croatia is very diverse. Combination of Y chromosome 17 STR loci may be used as a powerful tool for individual identification and parentage analysis in the southern Croatian male population

Survey of content of cadmium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, sodium and zinc in chamomile and green tea leaves by electrothermal or flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry

Due to the simplicity of tea preparation (pouring hot water onto different dried herbs) and its high popularity as a beverage, monitoring and developing a screening methodology for detecting the metal content is very important. The concentrations of Cd, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Na and Zn in 8 samples of green tea (Camellia sinesis) and in 11 samples chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) purchased both at local herbal pharmacies and supermarkets were determined using electrothermal atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The found concentrations in chamomile were: Cd (0.008 – 284 mg kg−1), Ca (2.42 – 6.29%), Cr (0.91 – 6.92 mg kg−1), Cu (6.27 – 11.39 mg kg−1), Fe (133.5 – 534 mg kg−1), Pb (0.561 – 1.277 mg kg−1), Mg (2.27 – 3.73%), Mn (62.2 – 165.6 mg kg−1), Hg (0.660 – 1.346 μg kg−1), Na (0.91 – 1.28%) and Zn (63.37 – 108.5 mg kg−1), in green tea Cd (36.29 – 202.1 mg kg−1), Ca (2.77 – 6.40%), Cr (1.520 – 5.278 mg kg−1), Cu (9.354 – 22.56 mg kg−1), Fe (162.6 – 513.3 mg kg−1), Pb (1.808 – 4.770 mg kg−1), Mg (1.41 – 2.62 %), Mn (1.147 – 1.729 g kg−1), Hg (1.045 – 2.802 μg kg−1), Na (0.44 – 0.98%) and Zn (30.65 – 115.6 mg kg−1), respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify factors (soil, climate and country of origin) influencing the content of the measured elements in herbal samples. The proposed methodology developed in this work was successfully applied to the detection of metals in herbal samples. The analysis showed that the content of toxic metals in green tea samples was significantly higher and very close to the maximum dose recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)

Elemental Status in Individuals from Naklice Burial Site (Southern Croatia): Mediaeval Diet Reconstruction

Elemental status of mediaeval individuals from Naklice burial site (Southern Croatia) was analyzed and their diet was reconstructed. Samples from different human bones were taken from 16 individuals who died in the 9th century and were recently excavated from Naklice burial site. The metal content of iron, lead, cadmium, magnum, zinc, copper, strontium, and calcium were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in flame mode. Mercury concentration was determined by three direct consecutive measures taken with a mercury analyzer. When comparing our results to the modern bone heavy metal concentrations, it is obvious that Cu, Fe, Ca and Sr greatly exceeded the values while concentration of Zn and Pb were lower. Concentration of Sr was about ten times higher than in modern bone samples. Due to environmental contamination, lead concentration in studied bones was lower than in modern bone samples. According to our results we concluded that the probable main dietary components of individuals excavated from Naklice burial site from Early Mediaeval period were leafy vegetables, legumes and small amounts of cereals

Monitoring content of cadmium, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium and manganese in tea leaves by electrothermal and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry

Due to the simplicity of tea preparation (pouring hot water onto different dried herbs) and its high popularity as a beverage, monitoring and developing a screening methodology for detecting the metal content is very important. The concentrations of Cd, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg and Mn in 11 different samples of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), linden (Tilia L.) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) purchased at local herbal pharmacy were determined using electrothermal atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The concentrations determined were: Cd (0.012 – 0.470 mg kg−1), Ca (5209 – 16340 mg kg−1), Cu (22.01 – 33.05 mg kg−1), Fe (114.2 – 440.3 mg kg−1), Pb (0.545 – 2.538 mg kg−1), Mg (2649 – 4325 mg kg−1) and Mn (34.00 – 189.6 mg kg−1). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify factors (soil and climate) influencing the content of the measured elements in herbal samples. The proposed methodology developed in this work was successfully applied to the detection of metals in herbal samples. The analysis showed that the content of toxic metals in herbal teas was below the maximum dose recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)