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Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Christina Nielsen-Marsh, Dr Matthew Collins

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Abstract

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Jans MME, Nielsen-Marsh CM, Smith CI, Collins MJ, Kars H

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Archaeological Science

Year: 2004

Volume: 31

Issue: 8

Pages: 87-95

ISSN (print): 0305-4403

ISSN (electronic): 1095-9238

Publisher: Academic Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2003.07.007

DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2003.07.007

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