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Fontani F, Boano R, Cinti A, Demarchi B, Sandron S, Rampelli S, Candela M, Traversari M, Latorre A, Iacovera R, Abondio P, Sarno S, Mackie M, Collins M, Radini A, Milani C, Petrella E, Giampalma E, Minelli A, Larocca F, Cilli E, Luiselli D. Bioarchaeological and paleogenomic profiling of the unusual Neolithic burial from Grotta di Pietra Sant'Angelo (Calabria, Italy). Sci Rep 2023; 13:11978. [PMID: 37488251 PMCID: PMC10366206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39250-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Neolithic burial of Grotta di Pietra Sant'Angelo (CS) represents a unique archaeological finding for the prehistory of Southern Italy. The unusual placement of the inhumation at a rather high altitude and far from inhabited areas, the lack of funerary equipment and the prone deposition of the body find limited similarities in coeval Italian sites. These elements have prompted wider questions on mortuary customs during the prehistory of Southern Italy. This atypical case requires an interdisciplinary approach aimed to build an integrated bioarchaeological profile of the individual. The paleopathological investigation of the skeletal remains revealed the presence of numerous markers that could be associated with craft activities, suggesting possible interpretations of the individual's lifestyle. CT analyses, carried out on the maxillary bones, showed the presence of a peculiar type of dental wear, but also a good density of the bone matrix. Biomolecular and micromorphological analyses of dental calculus highlight the presence of a rich Neolithic-like oral microbiome, the composition of which is consistent with the presence pathologies. Finally, paleogenomic data obtained from the individual were compared with ancient and modern Mediterranean populations, including unpublished high-resolution genome-wide data for 20 modern inhabitants of the nearby village of San Lorenzo Bellizzi, which provided interesting insights into the biodemographic landscape of the Neolithic in Southern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Fontani
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy.
| | - Rosa Boano
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cinti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Beatrice Demarchi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Sarah Sandron
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Simone Rampelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Candela
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mirko Traversari
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Adriana Latorre
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Rocco Iacovera
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Paolo Abondio
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Sarno
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Meaghan Mackie
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, København, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353, København, Denmark
- School of Archeology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Matthew Collins
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353, København, Denmark
- McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3ER, UK
| | - Anita Radini
- School of Archeology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Chantal Milani
- SIOF - Italian Society of Forensic Odontology, Strada Degli Schiocchi 12, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Enrico Petrella
- Radiology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Via Carlo Forlanini 34, 47121, Forlì, Italy
| | - Emanuela Giampalma
- Radiology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Via Carlo Forlanini 34, 47121, Forlì, Italy
| | - Antonella Minelli
- Department of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Felice Larocca
- Speleo-Archaeological Research Group, University of Bari, Piazza Umberto I 1, 70121, Bari, Italy
- Speleo-Archaeological Research Centre "Enzo dei Medici", Via Lucania 3, 87070, Roseto Capo Spulico (CS), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cilli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy.
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MacKenzie L, Speller CF, Holst M, Keefe K, Radini A. Dental calculus in the industrial age: Human dental calculus in the Post-Medieval period, a case study from industrial Manchester. QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR QUATERNARY RESEARCH 2023; 653-654:114-126. [PMID: 37915533 PMCID: PMC10615834 DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2021.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of dental calculus (mineralised dental plaque) has become an increasingly important facet of bioarchaeological research. Although microscopic analysis of microdebris entrapped within dental calculus has revealed important insights into the diet, health, and environment of multiple prehistoric populations, relatively few studies have examined the contributions of this approach to more recent historical periods. In this study, we analyze dental calculus from an English Post-Medieval, middle-class urban skeletal assemblage from Manchester, England using light microscopy. We characterize all types of microremains, observing heavily damaged starch and plant material, high quantities of fungal and yeast spores, the presence of wood particles, plant (cotton) and animal (wool) fibres, as well as limited quantities of microcharcoal and burnt debris. We observe the presence of non-native, imported plant products, including New World maize and potentially tapioca starch. We compare our results to similar studies from earlier time periods to reveal the impacts of the significant economic, social and environmental changes occurring during the Industrial period in England, including changes in food processing, food access, food storage, and air quality. We conclude by outlining important methodological considerations for the future study of Post-Medieval dental calculus and propose potential areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa MacKenzie
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, YO1 7EP, UK, YO1 UK
| | - Camilla F. Speller
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, YO1 7EP, UK, YO1 UK
- Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Malin Holst
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, YO1 7EP, UK, YO1 UK
- York Osteoarchaeology Ltd., Bishop Wilton, York, YO42 1SR, UK
| | - Katie Keefe
- York Osteoarchaeology Ltd., Bishop Wilton, York, YO42 1SR, UK
| | - Anita Radini
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, YO1 7EP, UK, YO1 UK
- York JEOL Nanocentre, University of York, YO10 5DD, UK
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Li Q, Luo K, Su Z, Huang F, Wu Y, Zhou F, Li Y, Peng X, Li J, Ren B. Dental calculus: A repository of bioinformation indicating diseases and human evolution. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1035324. [PMID: 36579339 PMCID: PMC9791188 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1035324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dental calculus has long been considered as a vital contributing factor of periodontal diseases. Our review focuses on the role of dental calculus as a repository and discusses the bioinformation recently reported to be concealed in dental calculus from three perspectives: time-varying oral condition, systemic diseases, and anthropology at various times. Molecular information representing an individual's contemporary oral health status could be detected in dental calculus. Additionally, pathogenic factors of systemic diseases were found in dental calculus, including bacteria, viruses and toxic heavy metals. Thus, dental calculus has been proposed to play a role as biological data storage for detection of molecular markers of latent health concerns. Through the study of environmental debris in dental calculus, an overview of an individual's historical dietary habits and information about the environment, individual behaviors and social culture changes can be unveiled. This review summarizes a new role of dental calculus as a repository of bioinformation, with potential use in the prediction of oral diseases, systemic diseases, and even anthropology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaihua Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhifei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangting Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangjie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xian Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiyao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Jiyao Li, ; Biao Ren,
| | - Biao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Jiyao Li, ; Biao Ren,
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Feuillâtre C, Beaumont J, Elamin F. Reproductive life histories: can incremental dentine isotope analysis identify pubertal growth, pregnancy and lactation? Ann Hum Biol 2022; 49:171-191. [PMID: 35786239 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2022.2091795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few reliable osteological indicators to detect parity or infer puberty in skeletal remains. Nitrogen (δ15N) and stable carbon (δ13C) isotope ratios in human tissues can be affected by metabolically unbalanced states engendered by pregnancy or rapid growth, offering potential biomarkers. AIM This pilot study explores the potential of incremental dentine-collagen isotope ratio analysis to identify puberty and gestation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Incremental dentine δ15N and δ13C profiles were produced by analysing third molars extracted as part of dental treatment of 10 individuals living in Sudan. Demographic and anthropometric data at the time of tooth extraction was available. Medical histories were unknown. RESULTS Isotopic signatures potentially related to pubertal growth, with an average δ15N reduction of 0.78 ± 0.29‰, are indicated. Six isotopic signals suggestive of pregnancy, with an average δ15N decrease of 0.48 ± 0.22‰, are also observed. The timing, speed and amplitude of post-partum δ15N patterns seemingly infer infant feeding practices and maternal nutritional status. CONCLUSION This pilot study highlights the potential of incremental dentine isotope analysis for the reconstruction of early reproductive histories in skeletal remains. However, controlled studies with a larger human cohort are needed to validate these findings, establish isotopic signals linked to puberty and lactation, and improve chronology accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Feuillâtre
- School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Julia Beaumont
- School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Fadil Elamin
- Institute of Dentistry, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Ostrum B, Gröcke DR, Montgomery J. A comparison of dietary isotopes in pulp stones and incremental dentine from Early Neolithic individuals of the Whitwell Long Cairn, England. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9306901 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This study investigates if palaeodietary information can be obtained from pulp stones through stable isotope analysis, presents a method for their extraction from tooth samples, and assesses their utility as a source of paleodietary information when coupled with the incremental dentine method. Materials and Methods Six tooth samples (2 per individual), four of which contained pulp stones, were selected from three Early Neolithic (3720–3650 cal BC) individuals from the Whitwell Long Cairn in Derbyshire, England. After demineralization, each tooth was divided into 1 mm increments. Stable isotope analysis of collagen was conducted on each dentine increment and a portion of each pulp stone. Results All samples met the quality control criteria for well‐preserved collagen. Excluding the pulp stones, the mean δ13C value of the teeth sampled was −21.5 ± 0.2‰ and the mean δ15N value was 9.9 ± 0.5‰, suggesting these individuals had a terrestrial‐based diet. The pulp stones produced similar δ13C values between −21.6 and −21.4‰ and δ15N values between 9.1 and 9.8‰. Discussion The results demonstrate that paleodietary information can be obtained from pulp stones through stable isotope analysis. There are, however, significant challenges in interpreting this data, particularly as to inferring the timing and duration of their formation. The pulp stone results were compared with the incremental dentine profiles for each person to further investigate when they might have formed. For two individuals, the pulp stones appear to reflect diet from a time period after childhood and adolescence. For the third individual, it could not be determined if the pulp stones reflect a contemporary or later time period than the incremental dentine series. All teeth with pulp stones have moderate to severe wear on the occlusal surface, which could have been a contributing factor to their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Ostrum
- Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK
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Vigeant J, Ribot I, Hélie JF. Investigating individual migration life histories: An isotopic case study from 17th to 18th century Nouvelle France. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022; 177:232-248. [PMID: 36790664 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This isotopic study explores the mobility patterns of a growing urban population from Notre Dame's Catholic cemetery (1691-1796), located in Montreal (Canada). The site offers a unique opportunity to investigate early colonial settlement in Nouvelle France through individual life patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS Stable oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18O) were measured on the enamel of 32 individuals from the Notre Dame collection. Premolars and third molars were selected, as they reflected the δ18O of the drinking water during childhood (2.5-5.5 years) and pre-adulthood (9.5-15.5 years). Firstly, premolars from three children (4-8 years of age) allowed us to provide a mean δ18O for the water consumed locally (22.7 ± 1.0 ‰ vs. VSMOW). Then, our δ18O were compared with published data from various geographical regions in North America (Eastern Canada and the United States) and Europe (France and the British Isles) to highlight mobility patterns of each individual. RESULTS Forty-eight percent of our sample (14 out of 29 individuals) did not reflect any long-distance mobility, as all their δ18O reflected Montreal's variation during their lifetime. The remaining (15 out of 29 individuals) experienced mobility within (n = 8) and outside (n = 7) North America and at different phases of their life (five at pre-adulthood, six at adulthood and four during both phases). Their migration patterns were analyzed according to age, sex, diet and possible ancestry in order to propose some "biographies." DISCUSSION This study highlights high population diversity in early colonial Montreal. Historians wrote that the city was growing, not only with the arrival of Europeans (e.g., young male workers, sailors), but also other groups (e.g., Indigenous people, slaves from North America). Additional analyses (e.g., ancient DNA) will be needed to explore further this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinthe Vigeant
- Département d'anthropologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Ribot
- Département d'anthropologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Geotop, Université du Québec à Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Hélie
- Geotop, Université du Québec à Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département des sciences de la Terre et de l'atmosphère, Université du Québec à Montréal, Québec, Canada
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