Mapping diagenesis in archaeological human bones

Heritage Science

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[1] 0000 0001 0674 042X, grid.5254.6, Laboratory of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark;0000 0001 0728 0170, grid.10825.3e, Cultural Heritage and Archaeometric Research Team (CHART), Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark;0000 0001 0728 0170, grid.10825.3e, Department of Anthropology (ADBOU), Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Lucernemarken 20, 5260, Odense, Denmark;0000 0001 0728 0170, grid.10825.3e, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsløws Vej 17, 5000, Odense C, Denmark;0000 0001 2097 4281, grid.29857.31, Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, 16802, University Park, PA, USA;

关键词: Human bones;    Trace element chemistry;    Diagenesis;    Bones;    Medieval;    Denmark;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40494-019-0285-7

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

We describe a procedure for ascertaining the extent of diagenesis in archaeological human skeletons through the distribution of Sr, Ba, Cu, Pb, Fe, and Mn in cross-sections of femoral cortical bone. Element mapping is performed through Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Absolute calibrations of element concentrations were obtained using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) on adjacent dissolved bulk bone samples. By comparing a modern individual to five medieval to early modern Danish skeletons, we demonstrate the degree to which concentrations of trace elements are attributable to diagenesis. Invasion from the exterior bone surface into a degraded part of the outer cortical bone is the most frequently occurring diagenetic change. In the archaeological skeletons investigated, diagenetic modification is restricted to, at most, the outer ca. 0.5 mm of bone. In one femur, Haversian channels were filled with diagenetic material, which appears to have entered the bone through a network of cavities largely made up by Haversian and Volkmann’s canals.

【 授权许可】

CC BY