A Trace Element Analysis of Lead in Human Tooth Enamel from Wadi Faynan 100, Jordan

Abstract

The environmental pollution that persists in the Wadi Faynan region of Jordan can be attributed to copper mining and smelting activities that flourished during the Early Bronze Age I (EBAI) (ca. 3600-3000 BCE). Previous surveys and limited excavations at the site of Wadi Faynan 100 (WF100) sought to understand the context this site and its role in copper metal production, but research has yet to be done on the individuals living there during the EBAI. This study examines lead (Pb) concentrations in human dental enamel to explore changes in exposure throughout individuals’ development using Laser Ablation Inductively-coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). There are 17 samples from 15 individuals recovered from 5 different graves. Although 3 samples were excluded from analysis due to diagenetic alterations in the Ca/P, others provided insights on the variable nature of Pb exposure at WF100. The samples were categorized into 4 patterns of exposure: none (n=6), decreasing (n=2), and increasing (n=2) Pb exposure with age, and variable exposure (n=4). The results reveal that the pollution exposure for children is more variable than expected. It is likely that majority of these individuals may not have had direct involvement in the copper mining and smelting activities that may have occurred in Wadi Faynan 100.