Archaeologists identify changes to human bone following introduction of tobacco in Western Europe

University of Leicester archaeologists and scientists have identified traceable differences in bone composition between tobacco users and non-tobacco users.

Analysing human skeletal remains dating back to the twelfth century, researchers have found that tobacco consumption leaves a metabolic record in human cortical bone (the dense tissue that makes up the outer layer of bones and provides bone strength) that is still traceable after long periods of post-mortem.

By identifying differences between tobacco users and non-tobacco users of the past, researchers hope that they can understand more about historical pathological and health conditions, including diseases associated with tobacco usage.  

Tobacco was introduced to Western Europe in the 16^th Century. Although modern clinical studies have shown conclusively the detrimental impact tobacco consumption has on human health, University of Leicester researchers are working to gain a better understanding of how tobacco impacted the health of past populations.

By studying the differences in human cortical bone, archaeologists can expand the number of individuals analysed to further understand the historical impact of tobacco consumption on human health.

As part of the research, a total of 323 individuals were analysed. These included 177 adult individuals from St James’s Garden Burial Ground in Euston, London dating back to the eighteenth-nineteenth century. 

It also included 146 individuals from a rural church cemetery in Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire. Remains at Barton-upon-Humber included those who lived before the introduction of tobacco in Europe (1150-1500 AD) and those who lived after (1500-1855 AD). 

By analysing human skeletal remains from before tobacco was introduced to Western Europe, researchers have clearly identified bone changes in Western Europeans since tobacco was introduced.

The research has been carried out by the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, and Leicester van Geest MultiOmics Facility, all based at the University of Leicester. It is part of the Tobacco, Health & History project led by the University of Leicester’s Dr Sarah Inskip, a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow.

Dr Sarah Inskip said: “Our research shows that there are significant differences in the molecular features contained in bone of past tobacco users and non-users. This potentially shows that we can see the impact that tobacco use has on the structure of our skeletons. Our ongoing research aims to ascertain how these differences emerge as this may have significance for understanding why tobacco use is a risk factor for some musculoskeletal and dental disorders.”

The research findings were published on Friday 4 October 2024 in Science Advances. The paper was authored by Dr Diego Badillo-Sanchez, Dr Anna Davies-Barrett, Maria Serrano Ruber, Professor Don Jones and Dr Sarah Inskip.