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Methodological investigations on the AB0-Typing of ancient bones

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Summary

This investigation deals with the possibility and the attempt to find a reliable method for AB0-typing of ancient bones. Using the Ouchterlonytest and the Immunorheophoresis we got satisfying reactions. Typing 169 femora from the 15th to 17th centuries from the Charnel house in Oppenheim, the following results were obtained: 36.2% A, 22.8% B, 10.1% AB and 30.9% H. 20 femora (11.8%) did not react at all. Presumably these samples belonged to nonsecretors who possess no blood group active material in their secretions and tissues. Compared with the present distribution of ABH-phenotypes and alleles the allele B showed a higher percentage.

Zusammenfassung

Diese Untersuchung befaßt sich mit der Möglichkeit und dem Versuch, eine objektive Methode für den AB0-Nachweis an historischem Knochenmaterial zu finden. Mit dem Ouchterlonytest und der Immunorheophorese gelang es, zuverlässige Ergebnisse zu erhalten. Zum Test gelangten 169 Femora aus dem Beinhaus von Oppenheim. Sie stammen aus dem 15.–17. Jahrhundert. 36,2% zeigten die Gruppe A, 22,8% Gruppe B, 10,1% Gruppe AB und 30,9% Gruppe H. von den 169 Femora erbrachten 20 (11,8%) keine Reaktion. Vermutlich handelt es sich hier um Proben von Nichtsekretoren, die keine blutgruppenaktiven Substanzen in ihren Sekreten und Geweben besitzen. Verglichen mit der heutigen AB0-Verteilung in diesem Raum ist das Allel B erhöht.

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Kellermann, G. Methodological investigations on the AB0-Typing of ancient bones. Hum Genet 14, 50–55 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00273031

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