Physicochemical Changes in Bone Bioapatite During the Late Postmortem Interval Pre- and Post-Burning.

ABSTRACT: Postmortem chemical transformation of bone bioapatite can take place during early diagenesis, resulting in a more thermodynamically stable mineral phase. This paper examines the impact of a one year postmortem interval on unburnt and burnt bone's structural and chemical alterations. This question is of importance for the reconstruction of funerary practices involving cremation in the archaeological record, as well as forensic anthropological investigations. Fleshed pig (Sus scrofa) tibiae were left exposed in a field, then collected at 14, 34, 91, 180, and 365 day intervals prior to being burnt in an outdoor fire (≤750 °C bone temperature). Fresh (fleshed) tibiae acted as unburnt and burnt controls. Also included in the study were two cremated human bone fragments from Middle-Late N

SUBMITTER: Vegh EI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9490440 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature