Please reply to list (not to me!) as Linda is now a member.
I am a M.Sc. student, and for my thesis this summer I will study the Sr/Ca ratio of tooth enamel, both animal and human.
The Sr/Ca ratio in the biosphere decreases with trophic level; for example,
Sr/Ca is low in human milk (10^-4) and high in plant foods (5 × 10^-3). Thus a change in Sr/Ca in infants may indicate weaning, as the individual comsumes more plant food high in Sr. The objective of this project is to determine whether a biogenic Sr/Ca signal is preserved in teeth
and if a weaning signal can be seen.
To understand the best teeth to sample and the ideal spatial sampling direction I would like to understand the formation and mineralization of various animal teeth. I am wondering if anyone could perhaps provide some general background information on this. In particular I am interested in the timing of the formation of sheep teeth, since I have an almost complete sheep mandible to sample.
yours
Linda Reynard <[log in to unmask]>
Jacqui Mulville
Lecturer in Bioarchaeology
School of History and Archaeology
Cardiff University
Cardiff
CF10 3XU
02920 874247
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