Archaeologists Reveal How Tobacco Use Changed Human Bone Structure

A new study has revealed that the consumption of tobacco left a detectable mark on human bone structure. By analyzing skeletal remains dating back as far as the 12th century, researchers have identified significant changes in bone composition linked to tobacco use. This discovery allows scientists, for the first time, to identify the remains of tobacco users even in cases where dental evidence is absent.

The study, part of the Tobacco, Health & History project led by Dr. Sarah Inskip, focuses on the molecular changes caused by tobacco use in human cortical bone, the dense outer layer of bones that provides strength and protection, notes a University of Leicester release. These changes, still traceable centuries after death, offer a new method for categorizing skeletal remains and gaining deeper insights into the long-term health effects of tobacco use on past populations.

Uncovering Tobacco’s Mark on the Skeleton

The research team, which includes scientists from the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, and the Leicester van Geest MultiOmics Facility, examined the bones of 323 individuals. These remains were taken from two distinct sites: St James’s Garden Burial Ground in Euston, London, and a rural church cemetery in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire.

The bones from London date to the 18th and 19th centuries, a period when tobacco use had become widespread across Europe. Meanwhile, the Barton-upon-Humber remains span a broader timeframe, from the 12th to the 19th century, encompassing both pre- and post-tobacco introduction periods. This allowed the researchers to compare bone structures before and after tobacco was brought to Western Europe in the 16th century.

By using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, the team discovered distinct metabolic differences in the bones of individuals who used tobacco compared to those who did not. These molecular differences remain detectable even after long periods of post-mortem burial, indicating that tobacco’s impact on human health extends deep into the skeletal system.

The discovery of changes to bone structure amongst the remains of tobacco users allows archaeologists to categorize remains without teeth for the first time. (University of Leicester)

Shifting Understanding of Tobacco’s Impact

While modern clinical studies have extensively documented the detrimental effects of tobacco use on human health, including its role in causing respiratory diseases and cancers, this study provides the first archaeological evidence of how tobacco physically altered human bone structure.

According to Dr. Inskip:

“Our research shows that there are significant differences in the molecular features contained in the 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.”

The implications of this research are far-reaching, as the ability to identify tobacco use through bone analysis opens up new possibilities for studying historical health conditions and diseases associated with smoking. For example, this method could help archaeologists investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal and dental disorders linked to tobacco consumption in past populations.

Widening the Scope of Historical Analysis

One of the most significant outcomes of this study is that it allows researchers to categorize individuals as tobacco users even when they lack telltale dental evidence, such as tooth wear or staining often associated with smoking pipes. This advancement widens the scope of individuals that can be analyzed in archaeological studies, offering a more comprehensive view of how tobacco impacted historical populations.

Ongoing Research and Future Insights

The findings were published on October 4, 2024, in Science Advances and represent an exciting leap forward in the field of bioarchaeology. Dr. Diego Badillo-Sanchez, Dr. Anna Davies-Barrett, Maria Serrano Ruber, Professor Don Jones, and Dr. Sarah Inskip authored the paper, and their research is ongoing.

The research team plans to continue investigating how the molecular changes in bone emerge and evolve, with the goal of understanding why tobacco use is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders. They also aim to explore how these findings could help trace the broader health impacts of tobacco on past populations, including the long-term effects on bone density and strength.

Top image: Skull and jaw from the remains used in the study.  Source: University of Leicester

By Gary Manners