Mercury in archeological hair samples from Xiongnu burials (Noin‐Ula, Mongolia): SR XRFSR XRF and CXRMCXRM analysis

摘要

> A technique has been developed for determining mercury content in the concentration range of 1–1000?μg/g in hair samples by X‐ray fluorescence analysis using synchrotron radiation (synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence, Siberian Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation Center, Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS). The mercury content was identified in archeological hair samples from an ancient burial of Xiongnu nobility (Mongolia, mound 22, 1 st century BC–1 st century AD); the content values were elevated (up to 1100?μg/g) in all the samples ( n ?=?41). An X‐ray microanalysis using polycapillary lenses in a confocal scheme (confocal X‐ray microscopy station) was developed at the Synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence to establish mercury distribution in a cross section of hair shaft with a spatial resolution of 5?μm. The findings of the study make it possible to assume exogenous income of mercury (from the burial environment) to the hair.