Abstract: The present paper reports a determination of copper and zinc in skulls (10 adult skulls and 15 newborn skulls) in Xi'an area by atonic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the normal content of copper in the adult skulls was 4.481 3.78 mg/kg dry tissue, zinc 597.05±472.54 mg/kg. In the newborn skulls, the normal contents of copper and zinc were 1.96±0.76 and 1160.38±859.71 (mg/kg dry tissue), respectively. These results indicate that the copper contents in adults skulls are higher than in newborn infants and the zinc contents in adults skulls are lower than in newborn obviously.

Key words: Human skull; Copper; Zinc; Atomic absorption spectrophotometry