Abstract
This report on a male head revealed biologic rhythms, as gleaned from hydrogen isotope ratios in hair, consistent with a South-American origin and Atomic Mass Spectrometry radiocarbon dating (AMS) compatible with the last pre-Hispanic period (1418–1491 AD, 95.4% probability). Biopsies showed exceptionally well-preserved tissues. The hair contained high levels of toxic elements (lead, arsenic and mercury) incompatible with life. There was no evidence for lead deposition in bone consistent with post-mortem accumulation of this toxic element in the hair. We propose that the high content of metals in hair was the result of metabolic activity of bacteria leading to metal complexation in extra cellular polymeric substances (EPS). This is a recognized protective mechanism for bacteria that thrive in toxic environments. This mechanism may account for the tissues preservation and gives a hint at soil composition where the head was presumably buried. Our results have implications for forensic toxicology which has, hitherto, relied on hair analyses as one means to reconstruct pre-mortem metabolism and for detecting toxic elements accumulated during life. Our finding also has implications for other archaeological specimens where similar circumstances may distort the results of toxicological studies.
Highlights
A South-American male (TSA nu1) whose head is housed in Turin’s Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography was in his twenties when he died some 600 years ago
It is well accepted that life is found everywhere even in the most unlikely places such as acid fluids that can dissolve steel and at pressures and temperatures found in hospital autoclaves used to sterilize surgical instruments. These organisms are known as ‘‘extremophiles’’, they are Archaea that are classed in the ‘‘third domain of life’’, they differ from bacteria, but like bacteria, are single celled; unlike bacteria, they are not known to cause disease
Archaea were discovered some 30 years ago and their number keeps on increasing with an accelerating pace of new discoveries [4]
Summary
A South-American male (TSA nu1) whose head is housed in Turin’s Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography was in his twenties when he died some 600 years ago. An earlier report on this specimen detailed the results of two series of CT scans to determine age and cause of death of this young man [1]. An endoscopic examination of the interior of the cranium through the foramen magnum revealed the presence of a white-yellowish ‘waxy’ material filling the skull. Since these initial analyses, several additional studies confirmed and amplified evidence for the extraordinary preservation of this head. We present a hypothesis to explain this unusual preservation. We amplify the evidence, previously obtained, for the preservation of the specimen using different techniques
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