Detection of diagenetic alteration in bones and teeth for migration and dietary studies - a combined FTIR and C-N-O-Sr isotope study on tenth century CE cemeteries in northern and northeastern Hungary

Stable isotope-based dietary information on the tenth century CE Hungarian population serves as a valuable comparative tool to other dietary stable isotope studies in the region. This study presents a multiproxy approach involving skeletal samples with the least diagenetic alteration and the best-preserved primary signals. Dental and bone samples collected from three cemeteries in northeastern Hungary were investigated using a combination of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), stable isotope geochemistry, and strontium isotope analysis. FTIR measurements were used to detect the addition of secondary carbonate to the skeletal apatite carbonate component and to differentiate diagenetically altered samples. Our results suggest that all but the bone apatite carbonate stable isotope values and Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios are trustworthy and may be used to interpret the diet and migration of the researched individuals. We also determined that the inhabitants of the three tenth century CE Hungarian settlements relied primarily on C-3 plants, but that C-4 plants, most likely broomcorn millet (P. miliaceum), comprised a moderate portion of their plant-based diet and that animal products were generally consumed in moderate-high amounts. Coupled analyses of carbonate oxygen and strontium isotope compositions revealed that most of the bone apatite carbonate was heavily altered, whereas enamel apatite carbonate samples largely preserved their primary compositions. The bones showing the least amount of diagenetic alteration may partially preserve their primary apatite carbonate compositions, as well as show a combination of primary and secondary signals, which should be taken into consideration when bone apatite carbonate data are interpreted.

Automated summary

This study on the dietary information of tenth century CE Hungarian population using stable isotopes serves as a valuable comparative tool and reveals the reliance on C-3 plants and moderate consumption of C-4 plants and animal products. The study also highlights the importance of considering diagenetic alteration in interpreting bone apatite carbonate data.