The Role of Fe, S, P, Ca, and Sr in Porous Skeletal Lesions: A Study on Non-adult Individuals Using pXRF.

ABSTRACT: Portable X-ray fluorescence is a new tool in the study of human bone. This research aims to investigate if variations in bone elemental concentrations are related with porous skeletal lesions (PSLs). One hundred well-preserved non-adult skeletons aged 0-11 years were selected from the archaeological site Convent of São Domingos, Lisbon (18th-19th century). Measuring a standard reference material and calculating the technical error of measurement assured elemental data reliability. Moreover, measuring soil samples excluded possible contamination of bones with elements from the soil, except for Pb. Additionally, the Ca/P ratio indicates maintenance of bone integrity. Cribra cranii, orbitalia, humeralis, and femoralis were recorded as present/absent, and the estimated intra-/inter-observer er

SUBMITTER: Gomes RAMP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11750918 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature