Publication details
Mikroskopická analýza zubního kamene z velkomoravského pohřebiště Devín – Za kostolom
| Title in English | The microscopic analysis of dental calculus from the Great Moravian necropolis Devín – Za kostolom |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Devín Veroniky Plachej Zborník k životnému jubileu PhDr. V. Plachej |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology |
| Keywords | Devín; dental calculus; Great Moravian Empire; bacteria; diet; scanning electron microscopy (SEM); energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) |
| Description | Thirteen samples of ancient dental calculus dated to the Great Moravian period came from the necropolis Devín – Za kostolom were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and three of them by EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). All bacterial morphotypes like rods, cocci and filamentous bacteria were observed in 38 %. Bacteria like cocci were observed in 84,5 %, rods in 77 % and filamentous bacteria in 38,5 %. Plant fibres were observed in 38,5 %. This confirms diet of these people to be typical for medieval agriculturalists with a direct proof of plant component. Elemental spectra of three samples of dental calculus were analyzed and confirm the presence of elements came from crystals like calcium, phosphorus, carbon dioxide and magnesium. Except of these elements there were presented unusual elements like sodium, aluminum, silicon and sulphur (grave 109) and aluminium, sulphur and copper (grave 53). These results showed uniqueness in composition of each individual which is probably explained by differences in their habits or lifestyles |