Aspartic Acid Racemization in Teeth from Ketef Hinnom, a Late Holocene Burial Cave in Jerusalem: Evidence for Reuse

The Ketef Hinnom tombs, lying just outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem, were carved out of bedrock during the 7th-5th century B.C. Several artefacts dating to the Late Hellenistic Period (ca. 100 B.C.) have also been found within the tombs. Aspartic acid (Asp) racemization in 31 samples of human tooth dentine from these tombs was analyzed in order to evaluate the possible reuse of the tombs during this later period. A range of D/L Asp values was found: a group with values averaging 0.062 and another group averaging 0.043. These D/L values are close to those expected for the two archeological age groups as calculated from (1) the kinetics of Asp racemization as established from experimental studies at higher temperatures and in vivo racemization rates, and (2) the effective annual temperature in the tombs, as measured using the Pallman method. These results thus support the later reuse of the tombs for burials. Several factors contribute to the accuracy of Asp racemization dating, including the age of the individual at death, uncertainties concerning Asp racemization kinetics, and effects of temperature history.