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Strontium isotope geochemistry of archaeological human tooth enamel excavated from Jeonju, southwestern Korea

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Abstract

Strontium isotopes of archaeological skeletal tissues have provided useful information to trace past human migration. This study presents strontium isotope data of human tooth enamel excavated from a group of medieval Joseon tombs in Jeonju, southwestern Korea. The enamel samples are divided into two isotopic populations yielding average 87Sr/86Sr of 0.71077 ± 0.00031 (group I) and 0.71233 ± 0.00032 (group II). Considering the gender distribution, 87Sr/86Sr ratios of group I may better represent the local value of biologically available strontium. Contrasting 87Sr/86Sr patterns of acetic acid extracts and residues of enamel fragments from a male of group I and a female of group II suggest their different residential mobility during childhood. The 87Sr/86Sr range of group I enamel is considerably lower than that reported from basement granites in the Jeonju area. Strontium in this group may have been conveyed from rainfall, and soluble soil fractions composed mainly of low-Rb/Sr minerals such as plagioclase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764, Republic of Korea

    Jae Hyeong Park, Chang-sik Cheong & Youn-Joong Jeong

  2. Korea Basic Science Institute, Chungbuk, 363-883, Republic of Korea

    Jae Hyeong Park, Chang-sik Cheong & Youn-Joong Jeong

  3. Department of Archeology and Art History, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea

    June-Jeong Lee

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  1. Jae Hyeong Park
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  2. Chang-sik Cheong
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  3. Youn-Joong Jeong
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  4. June-Jeong Lee
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Correspondence to Chang-sik Cheong.

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Park, J.H., Cheong, Cs., Jeong, YJ. et al. Strontium isotope geochemistry of archaeological human tooth enamel excavated from Jeonju, southwestern Korea. Geosci J 19, 185–188 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-015-0024-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-015-0024-3

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