Abstract
In the present study we have analysed hair Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Pb and Ca contents of 8 prehispanic hair specimens from Gran Canaria, comparing them with 10 acutal samples, which serve as a «control» group.
Prehispanic samples showed statistically significant less Zn (t=2.81, p<0.02) and Cu (t=5.07, p<0.001) than the controls. On the other hand, Sr was higher in the prehispanic samples (t=4.42, p<0.001), as Fe (t=3.92, p<0.005), Pb (t=3.14, p<0.01) and especially Mn did (p<0.0001). No differences were observed regarding hair calcium content. These data are in accordance with results obtained in bone samples of the prehispanic inhabitants of this island, supporting the point of view that they consumed a mainly vegetarian diet, a statement which is in accordance with other archaeological and etnohistorical data.
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González-Reimers, E., Arnay-de-la-Rosa, M., Castro-Alemán, V. et al. Trace elements in prehispanic hair samples of Gran Canaria. Hum. Evol. 6, 159–163 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435616
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435616