XRM imaging for non-destructive age at death estimation of the incinerated teeth from the Motya Tophet

Martina Trocchi, Luciano Fattore, Flavio Cognigni, Federico Cappella, Marco Rossi, Giorgio Manzi, Lorenzo Nigro
Abstract:
The study of odontoskeletal remains of non-adult individuals provides important information on the cultural significance of childhood in past societies. Tophets, distinct burial areas for infant cremated remains found in several Phoenician-Punic colonies in the Mediterranean area, offer an ideal case study to test the potential of alternative analysis approaches on cremated remains. The study presents a non-destructive methodology using X-ray microscopy (XRM) to analyze a sample of cremated deciduous teeth from the Tophet of Motya, providing information on the demographic profile and age classes of the buried individuals. The results are consistent with previous studies on Tophets remains and highlight the importance of using non-invasive analytical techniques to collect new data useful for the interpretation of the burial practices of newborns and infants in Phoenician world.
Download:
IMEKO-MetroArchaeo-2023-003.pdf
DOI:
10.21014/tc4-ARC-2023.003
Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC4
Event name:
TC4 MetroArchaeo 2023
Title:

IMEKO TC4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Place:
Rome, ITALY
Time:
19 October 2023 - 21 October 2023