What's in a Bone? Recent Advances in Archaeological Bone Chemistry

This paper focuses on advances in archaeological bone chemistry since 1989. At that time studies generally shifted from development and application of techniques in bone chemistry to more experimental approaches. In stable isotope studies, controlled feeding experiments have been carried out to dete...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of archaeological research 1997-09, Vol.5 (3), p.265-293
Main Authors: Katzenberg, M. Anne, Harrison, Roman G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archaeological science
Bones
Carbon
Carbon isotopes
Collagens
Diagenetic processes
Diet
Humans
Isotopes
Strontium
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Summary:This paper focuses on advances in archaeological bone chemistry since 1989. At that time studies generally shifted from development and application of techniques in bone chemistry to more experimental approaches. In stable isotope studies, controlled feeding experiments have been carried out to determine the routing of various dietary components into bone tissues. Biological apatite has been added to collagen as a tissue of study for stable carbon isotope analysis, providing the ability to study much older remains. Other elements have been added such as hydrogen for the study of paleoclimate and oxygen and strontium isotopes to study life history. Trace element studies have focused on methods of detecting and controlling for diagenesis, and barium has been added to the list of useful dietary indicators. Attempts to extract DNA from archaeological bone have been successful, however, this field is still in its early stages in terms of applications to understanding prehistoric biological relationships.
ISSN:1059-0161
1573-7756
DOI:10.1007/bf02229154