IN-SITU ELEMENTAL AND Sr ISOTOPE INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN TOOTH ENAMEL BY LASER ABLATION-(MC)-ICP-MS: SUCCESSES AND PITFALLS

Authors: SIMONETTI, ANTONIO; BUZON, MICHELE R.¹; CREASER, ROBERT A.²

Source: Archaeometry, Volume 50, Number 2, April 2008 , pp. 371-385(15)

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Abstract:

Trace element and Sr isotope data were obtained by laser ablation- and solution mode-(MC)-ICP-MS analysis for tooth enamel from remains excavated at the New Kingdom period Egyptian colonial and Nubian cemetery site of Tombos (Sudan). Elemental abundances determined by both methods of ICP-MS analysis yielded comparable values; however, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values obtained by laser ablation were higher compared to their solution mode counterparts. This discrepancy is related to the production of a molecular interference—Ca + P + O (overlaps ⁸⁷Sr); hence the higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values recorded during ablation analyses. Laser ablation studies of enamel may provide relatively precise ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values rather quickly but cannot be used for accurately deciphering historical population migrations.

Keywords: Sr ISOTOPE ANALYSIS; LASER ABLATION; ICP-MS; TOOTH ENAMEL; ANCIENT NUBIA

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2007.00351.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Purdue University, 700 W. State St., West Lafayette IN 47907-2059, USA 2: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada

Publication date: 2008-04-01