Aim: this study examines medicinal substances, botanical remedies, and drugs in ancient and modern dental calculus. Conducted within the framework of the PRIN 2022 project ROMAN CALCULUS, and by integrating archaeological, forensic, and clinical approaches, we aim to reconstruct past medical practices and standardize methodologies for detecting drug and mineral traces. Methods: dental calculus samples from individuals dated between the 1st and 6th centuries AD are being analyzed using microscopy, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), and Liquid Chromatography-tandem Cass Cpectrometry (LC-MS/MS). To validate methodologies, modern samples (dental calculus, saliva, and hair) were collected from participants at the UOD of Complex Odontostomatology, DAI Head-Neck, Umberto I Polyclinic, Sapienza University of Rome. Hair assesses long-term exposure, saliva evaluates contamination risks, and elemental analysis detects heavy metal exposure. Results: preliminary findings reveal plant residues, organic compounds, and therapeutic minerals in ancient Rome. Modern sample analysis refines detection methods and assesses contamination risks. Dental calculus effectively preserves chemical traces, supporting its role as a biological archive. Conclusions: dental calculus is a key tool for studying past medical practices. Modern samples enhance methodological validation, improving detection accuracy. Future research will expand the dataset and refine analytical techniques to advance our understanding of ancient and modern pharmacology.
ANCIENT AND MODERN DENTAL CALCULUS ANALYSIS FOR TRACING MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES: A PILOT STUDY WITHIN THE PRIN PROJECT ROMAN CALCULUS / Ndokaj, A; Fiorin, E; Guerra, F; Dimitrova, A; Vaiano, F; Pinchi, V; Ottolenghi, L; Cristiani, E. - In: DENTAL CADMOS. - ISSN 2785-4248. - (2025).
ANCIENT AND MODERN DENTAL CALCULUS ANALYSIS FOR TRACING MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES: A PILOT STUDY WITHIN THE PRIN PROJECT ROMAN CALCULUS
Ndokaj A;Fiorin E;Guerra F;Dimitrova A;Ottolenghi L;Cristiani E
2025
Abstract
Aim: this study examines medicinal substances, botanical remedies, and drugs in ancient and modern dental calculus. Conducted within the framework of the PRIN 2022 project ROMAN CALCULUS, and by integrating archaeological, forensic, and clinical approaches, we aim to reconstruct past medical practices and standardize methodologies for detecting drug and mineral traces. Methods: dental calculus samples from individuals dated between the 1st and 6th centuries AD are being analyzed using microscopy, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), and Liquid Chromatography-tandem Cass Cpectrometry (LC-MS/MS). To validate methodologies, modern samples (dental calculus, saliva, and hair) were collected from participants at the UOD of Complex Odontostomatology, DAI Head-Neck, Umberto I Polyclinic, Sapienza University of Rome. Hair assesses long-term exposure, saliva evaluates contamination risks, and elemental analysis detects heavy metal exposure. Results: preliminary findings reveal plant residues, organic compounds, and therapeutic minerals in ancient Rome. Modern sample analysis refines detection methods and assesses contamination risks. Dental calculus effectively preserves chemical traces, supporting its role as a biological archive. Conclusions: dental calculus is a key tool for studying past medical practices. Modern samples enhance methodological validation, improving detection accuracy. Future research will expand the dataset and refine analytical techniques to advance our understanding of ancient and modern pharmacology.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
