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Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18–19th centuries)

hal.structure.identifierArchéosciences Bordeaux
dc.contributor.authorZINN, Alexandra
hal.structure.identifierInstitut national de recherches archéologiques préventives [Inrap]
hal.structure.identifierCentre Michel de Boüard - Centre de recherches archéologiques et historiques anciennes et médiévales [CRAHAM]
dc.contributor.authorTHOMANN, Aminte
hal.structure.identifierArchéosciences Bordeaux
dc.contributor.authorLEFRAIS, Yannick
hal.structure.identifierArchéosciences Bordeaux
hal.structure.identifierÉcole Pratique des Hautes Études [EPHE]
dc.contributor.authorDUTOUR, Olivier
hal.structure.identifierArchéosciences Bordeaux
hal.structure.identifierÉcole Pratique des Hautes Études [EPHE]
dc.contributor.authorCOLOMBO, Antony
dc.date.issued2025
dc.identifier.issn1879-9817
dc.description.abstractEnObjective: The French medico-historical literature reports the common use of mercury-based treatments until the mid-19th century. An exploratory paleopharmacological approach is presented for detecting mercury in a child’s skeletal remains suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This aims to corroborate written sources and provide a way to better understand disease therapeutic management.Materials: This study focuses on a 3–4-year-old child showing signs of rickets and possible scurvy from “rue Thubeuf” cemetery (Rouen, late 18–19th centuries). Analysis was carried out on a thoracic vertebral body and the right second deciduous mandibular molar.Methods: Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) provided mercury detection and quantification. Micro-CT analysis was implemented to detect the interglobular dentine potentially related to vitamin D deficiency.Results: The ED-XRF spectrum showed a mercury peak for the vertebra, none for the molar. The vertebra CV-AAS analysis revealed a high mercury rate of 9.373 mg/kg.Conclusions: The individual was likely exposed to high mercury levels originating from therapeutic treatment, potentially for vitamin deficiencies, in the last months of life. Significance: Paleopharmacological analysis is an important tool in the analysis of medical treatment in the past.Limitations: Soil analysis could contribute to improved knowledge of contamination sources. Further research: This approach should be expanded to more individuals to better assess the treatment frequency of vitamin deficiency diseases during industrialization.
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.subject.enHealth
dc.subject.enVitamin deficiencies
dc.subject.enIndustrialization
dc.subject.enMicro-CT
dc.subject.enEnergy dispersive X-ray fluorescence
dc.subject.enCold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy
dc.title.enArcheometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18–19th centuries)
dc.typeArticle de revue
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006
dc.subject.halSciences de l'Homme et Société/Archéologie et Préhistoire
dc.subject.halSciences du Vivant [q-bio]/Médecine humaine et pathologie/Pédiatrie
dc.subject.halSciences du Vivant [q-bio]/Sciences pharmaceutiques/Pharmacologie
bordeaux.journalInternational Journal of Paleopathology
bordeaux.page29-36
bordeaux.volume49
bordeaux.peerReviewedoui
hal.identifierhal-05038553
hal.version1
hal.popularnon
hal.audienceInternationale
hal.origin.linkhttps://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr//hal-05038553v1
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