Investigating the relationship between periods of vitamin D deficiency and sequential dentine carbon and nitrogen values: A case study from the post-medieval Low Countries.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the presence of interglobular dentine (IGD), reflecting periods of suboptimal vitamin D levels, affects serial carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values in incremental dentine profiles.

MATERIAL: Nine individuals, represented by eight 1st molars and one canine from Hattem, Beemster (Netherlands), and Koekelberg (Belgium) cemeteries (17th-19th cent. CE). Eight teeth had IGD previously identified via microscopy, and one displayed no IGD.

METHODS

The two common sequential dentine methodologies, micro-slicing and micro-punching, were applied to measure serial δ13C and δ15N variation within each tooth.

RESULTS

Incremental δ13C ranged from -21.4‰ to -18.8‰, and δ15N from 9.3‰ to 18.2‰. Comparisons between increments with and without IGD revealed minimal isotopic differences, with IGD increments showing slight δ13C (0.1‰) and δ15N (0.2‰) depletion.

CONCLUSIONS

IGD, and accordingly vitamin D deficiency, had a minimal effect on δ13C and δ15N values from human dentine and did not affect the incremental sampling conclusions on diet and weaning.

SIGNIFICANCE: This pilot study suggests that there seems to be no clear link between periods of vitamin D deficiency and serial δ13C and δ15N variations.

LIMITATIONS: The limited sequential δ13C and δ15N analysis of more 'control' individuals with no detected IGD from the three cemeteries, due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency at the time.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Continued sequential analysis of populations with IGD, from different periods and/or geographic locations, to confirm the findings of this case report.