Immunological detection of hemoglobin in bones of ancient Roman times and of Iron and Eneolithic Ages.

Abstract

Using an immunological method (immunoblot), we have established that hemoglobin (or hemoglobin fragments) can be quantitatively determined in old and ancient bones, some of them dating back 4500 years. It is shown that the total recovery decreases with time, but it is still effective in the older specimens. Thus, the immunological assay may prove useful to solve problems relevant to paleontology and paleopathology.