INAA of bone remains of Bohemian Duke John of Görlitz: an attempt to explain his sudden death at the age of twenty-five years

Abstract

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was employed to assay 32 minor and trace elements in bone of Bohemian Duke John of Görlitz (1370–1396) who suddenly died at the age 25 years for unknown reasons. Recently, histological examination of his illium bone was carried out, accompanied by histochemical staining reactions to learn about his health status. The INAA results disproved an elevated Al content indicated by the staining reaction with aluminon, but revealed elevated levels of Mn, As, Sb, and especially of Ag compared with literature values. The results are discussed in terms of toxicity of the above elements, especially whether their elevated levels could be the reason for Duke´s sudden death.