The present article provides results of analyses of trace elements from dental tissues and their relations with social status, dietary habits, and pathological changes in vertebras in the skeletal remains from the former family crypt in the St. Catherine Church ruins. Three aristocratic families (the Labsánszkys from the Korlátko castle, the Erdődys and the Apponyis) were buried under St. Catherine church in the 18th century. Skeletal material from one of the three crypts was investigated. The family allegiance of these skeletal remains is still not known; our considerations based on the historical sources indicated the Labsánszky family. The concentrations of Ca, Sr and Zn in 8 permanent teeth obtained from 8 individuals were analysed. The number of analysed teeth was limited by the number of buried individuals and the preservation state of the skulls. Concentrations of the trace elements and their ratios – a relatively low content of strontium and a higher concentration of zinc – indicated a rich protein diet. Despite the small number of teeth analysed, the results are relatively homogenous and show that probably all of the buried persons had belonged to a higher society. The results were also confirmed indirectly by the palaeopathological findings in the bones of the postcranial skeleton. The Forestier disease (DISH) was diagnosed in three individuals at minimum, which can also indicate that they suffered from obesity or type 2 diabetes. However, DISH is a hereditary disease; therefore we must also consider the familiar appearance.

Comenius University in Bratislava Faculty of Natural Sciences Department of Anthropology Bratislava

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