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. Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later