<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This preliminary study examines the potential effects of diagenetic processes on the oxygen-isotope ratios of bone and tooth phosphate (δ<sup>18</sup>O) from skeletal material of individuals representing the Corded Ware Culture (2500-2400 BC) discovered in Malżyce (Southern Poland). Intra-individual variability of Ca/P, CI, C/P, collagen content (%) and oxygen isotopes was observed through analysis of enamel, dentin and postcranial bones. Using a variety of analytical techniques, it was found that, despite the lack of differences in soil acidity, not all the parts of a skeleton on a given site had been equally exposed to diagenetic <italic>post mortem</italic> changes. In a few cases, qualitative changes in the FTIR spectrum of analysed bones were observed. The data suggest that apart from quantitative analyses, i.e., the calculation of Ca/P, CI, C/P and collagen content, qualitative analyses such as examination of the absorbance line are recommended. The degree to which a sample is, contaminated on the basis of any additional, non-biogenic peaks, deemed to be contaminated should also be specified.</p></abstract>

This preliminary study examines the potential effects of diagenetic processes on the oxygen-isotope ratios of bone and tooth phosphate (δ18O) from skeletal material of individuals representing the Corded Ware Culture (2500-2400 BC) discovered in Malżyce (Southern Poland). Intra-individual variability of Ca/P, CI, C/P, collagen content (%) and oxygen isotopes was observed through analysis of enamel, dentin and postcranial bones. Using a variety of analytical techniques, it was found that, despite the lack of differences in soil acidity, not all the parts of a skeleton on a given site had been equally exposed to diagenetic post mortem changes. In a few cases, qualitative changes in the FTIR spectrum of analysed bones were observed. The data suggest that apart from quantitative analyses, i.e., the calculation of Ca/P, CI, C/P and collagen content, qualitative analyses such as examination of the absorbance line are recommended. The degree to which a sample is, contaminated on the basis of any additional, non-biogenic peaks, deemed to be contaminated should also be specified.

Diagenetic signals from ancient human remains - bioarchaeological applications

Department of Anthropology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology PAN, Kraków, Poland

Department of Radioisotopes, Institute of Physics, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland

Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland

Department of Cytology and Histology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Mineralogia

{"article-title":"Diagenetic signals from ancient human remains - bioarchaeological applications"}

This preliminary study examines the potential effects of diagenetic processes on the oxygen-isotope ratios of bone and tooth phosphate (δ18O) from skeletal...

Diagenetic signals from ancient human remains - bioarchaeological applications

Pubblicato online: 04 lug 2012

Pagine: 93 - 112

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10002-011-0009-4

Parole chiave
diagenesis, Neolithic, oxygen isotopes, FTIR, EDS, bioarchaeology

This content is open access.

Diagenetic signals from ancient human remains - bioarchaeological applications

Pubblicato online: 04 lug 2012

Pagine: 93 - 112

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10002-011-0009-4

Parole chiavediagenesis, Neolithic, oxygen isotopes, FTIR, EDS, bioarchaeology

This content is open access.

Parole chiave
diagenesis, Neolithic, oxygen isotopes, FTIR, EDS, bioarchaeology