| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
^{5 3} Egyptian Journal of Archaeological and Restoration Studies (EJARS) An international peer-reviewed journal published bi-annually www.ejars.sohag-univ.edu.eg Original article INTERMENT INTERVALS OF SKELETAL REMAINS FROM UDHRUH FORTRESS, JORDAN: ATR-FTIR ANALYSIS OF TOOTH DENTIN Al-Shorman, A. ¹ (*), Shqairat, M. ² , Abudanah, F. ² & Khwaileh, A. <sup>1

1</sup> Anthropology dept., Faculty of Archaeology & Anthropology, Yarmouk Univ., Irbid, Jordan
² Archaeology dept., Al-Hussein Bin Talal Univ., Ma’an, Jordan

Abstract:
Archaeological evidence suggests that Roman forts along the Limes Arabicus, a defensive frontier in the Roman Empire, buried their dead in communal burial pits, indicating a deviation from traditional Roman burial practices. This study comprises 10 permanent second lower molars from the 2008 and 2009 excavations at Udhruh Fortress, most likely Late Roman, to estimate the intervals between internments and understand such a practice. The method of the study relies on measuring the extent of francolite incorporation in dentin phosphate apatite [I1096/I1035] using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), which increases with the post-depositional time. The results showed two separate internment intervals, where the former is likely associated with the abandonment of the fortress and the second with its reoccupation, mostly in later phases. The continuous use of Udhruh Fortress indicates that it remained a refuge for local communities as they faced various sociopolitical challenges. However, evidence of reoccupation during the Islamic period suggests a need for further research to fully understand the historical context of this burial practice.

Keywords:
Skeletal Remains Udhruh Fortress ATR-FTIR

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