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Factors Affecting Bone and Tooth Preservation
By Brittany Mann, Session # 3, 2010
Modification by Physical AgentsChemistryFactors such as: soil acidity(pH) and
permeability, moisture, temperature, and microorganisms have dramatic affect on skeletal deterioration
Color and fossilization controlled by environment
best preservation occurs in: well drained areas with low water tables, in neutral or slightly alkaline pH soils in temperate areas
Modification by Physical Agents Cont’d
FireBones can be damaged by both natural
occurring fires as well as fires used for dietary and mortuary practices
Fire causes bones to change colour and crack
Burning can be confused with staining bones in some depositional contexts
Natural elements
Modification by Non-human Biological Agents
AnimalsCarnivores have a dramatic impact of
bone assemblagesCause damage by pitting, scoring, and
puncturing bone surfaceRodent gnawing is just as damagingBone can become polished and scratched
by being trampled by animals
PlantsRoots secrete acids which damages the
surface of buried bonesLeaves a network of shallow groovesGrooves are whiter in color than rest of
bone; this is caused by decalcification
Modifications by HumansHuman mortuary practices
causes profound effects of disposition of a skeleton such as: burning, cut/chop/scrape marks, fractures caused by hammering or pulverizing
Bone preparation and excavation can also cause damage; this can easily be diagnosed by colour
How do these factors impact materials found at Sanisera?
The End
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