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
