PATTERNING OF SKELETAL LEAD CONTENT IN BARBADOS SLAVES

Abstract

Skeletal lead levels are unexpectedly high (averaging 118 ppm and reaching 424 ppm maximum) in seventeenth to nineteenth century Caribbean slave skull remains. Younger specimens show significantly lower lead concentrations. Historical data confirm the supposition from skeletal lead measurements that blood lead levels probably resulted in lead intoxication symptoms in a significant fraction of this population.