Osteological, multi-isotope and proteomic analysis of poorly-preserved human remains from a Dutch East India Company burial ground in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Skeletal remains discovered in Simon's Town, South Africa, were hypothesised as being associated with a former Dutch East India Company (VOC) hospital. We report a novel combined osteological and biochemical approach to these poorly-preserved remains. A combined strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr), oxygen (δ¹⁸O_VPDB) and carbon (δ¹³C_VPDB) isotope analysis informed possible childhood origins and diet, while sex-specific amelogenin enamel peptides revealed biological sex. Osteological analyses presented evidence of residual rickets, a healed trauma, dental pathological conditions, and pipe notches. The combined isotope analyses yielded results for 43 individuals which suggested a diverse range of geological origins, including at least 16% of

SUBMITTER: Olszewski J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10482838 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature