Trace elements in palaeopathology: Quantitative analysis of a case of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of the bones of a 6th century case (AD ) of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) showed high levels of Zn, Mn and K in the periosteal new bone. The concentration of Zn in the periosteal new bone appeared to be biogenetic in origin and connected with active mineralization processes in the abnormal bone tissue. Manganese and potassium concentrations were, at least partly, related to diagenetic processes.