Preliminary Results in Dating Human Skeletal Remains by Raman Spectroscopy

• Published in: Journal of Raman spectroscopy 1997-02, Vol.28 (2-3), p.185-188
• Main Authors: Bertoluzza, A., Brasili, P., Castrì, L., Facchini, F., Fagnano, C., Tinti, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0377-0486; 1097-4555
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4555(199702)28:2/3<185::AID-JRS69>3.0.CO;2-6

The Fourier transform Raman vibrational spectra of five ancient molar teeth (burial periods ranging from 150 to about 6000 years ago) were analysed in comparison with a modern deciduous canine of an infant. The observed Raman bands were assigned to inorganic (carbonato‐apatite) and organic (proteinaceous) components. The spectroscopic measurements show that only in the case of enamel (external surface) do the bands due to the organic component decrease in intensity in relation to the duration of burial, while the intensities of the bands due to the inorganic component remain constant in all the samples, ancient and modern. The I2941/I960 intensity ratio of the stretching mode νsCH2 of the organic component and ν1(PO4)3‐ of the inorganic component was chosen as a spectroscopic parameter to be correlated with the burial period of the teeth. A gradual decrease in the curve of I2941/I960 vs. tooth age was observed in the case of enamel but not for the dentine; this feature is related to the peculiar structure of the enamel. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.