Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: melaniejs on 12/03/2020 16:33:15

Title: What could we reconstruct about a human from their ashes?
Post by: melaniejs on 12/03/2020 16:33:15

Paul asks:

What could we reconstruct about a human from their ashes? After the losses due to the incineration process, would it be possible to identify their diet for example?

Anyone here know?

Title: Re: What could we reconstruct about a human from their ashes?
Post by: evan_au on 12/03/2020 22:05:44

You could tell if they had tooth fillings or a metal rod to hold a broken leg together.

Title: Re: What could we reconstruct about a human from their ashes?
Post by: RD on 13/03/2020 00:44:11

If they had radiotherapy ... https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2725673

Title: Re: What could we reconstruct about a human from their ashes?
Post by: Sporteganmen on 17/03/2020 10:06:53

The ashes are a mixture of burnt remains of bones, coffin material and metal objects (nails, dentures). After cooling, metal objects are removed from the dust with a magnet.