Disentangling diagenetic and biogenic trace elements and Sr radiogenic isotopes in fossil dental enamel using laser ablation analysis

Abstract

The reconstruction of life histories traits such as the ontogenic evolution of diet or sequences of mobility can be achieved for fossil mammals thanks to laser ablation analysis of trace elements concentration and radiogenic Sr isotope composition in dental enamel. However, a major limitation for the use of laser ablation to study fossil tooth enamel is that the analysis must be carried out on bulk sample hence prohibiting any ad hoc leaching step to remove diagenetic compounds. Biogenic and diagenetic trace elements along with the 87Sr/86Sr ratio must be monitored and post hoc correlation tests processed to isolate areas free of diagenesis. The present study combines a unique combination of biogenic (Sr and Ba), diagenetic (Mn and U) trace elements, major elements (Mg and Ca) and 87Sr/86Sr ratio time series obtained by means of laser ablation ICPMS and MC-ICPMS on a large number (n = 94) of fossil tooth enamel samples of humans and animals from a set of neighboring Neolithic sites in France. Bone fragments sampled from the same specimens are also analyzed for comparison. Trends between diagenetic and biogenic trace and major elements are first identified using inclusive data analysis. The trends are then validated at the scale of the laser ablation raster, and a protocol of data cleaning is developed to identify areas free of diagenesis. Non-significantly altered Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr average values are thus gathered for each cleaned tooth enamel samples and are discussed, along with previously measured bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values, in terms of diet and mobility in the context of the Neolithic revolution.