Assessing the reliability of microbial bioerosion features in burnt bones: A novel approach using feature-labelling in histotaphonomical analysis

Végh, Emese I.; Czermak, Andrea; Márquez‐Grant, Nicholas

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102906

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…The discrepancy with Keenan and Engel's 24 results might be due to the fact that their experimental alligator bones had evidence of microbial bioerosion, while this was not present in this study's bones. 22 Nevertheless, time since deposition does not seem to be the driving cause of C/P variation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The material and experimental protocol employed here follows that of a parallel study, 22 which examined the histotaphonomic features in unburnt and burnt bones to inform on the PMI. Fleshed pig ( Sus scrofa domesticus) tibiae ( N = 22) were allowed to decay exposed within a cage for 14 ( N = 5), 34 ( N = 5), 91 ( N = 5), 180 ( N = 5), and 365 ( N = 2) days prior to burning on an outdoor fire in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A thermocouple was used to directly monitor bone temperature, with a mean of 553 °C and a recorded maximum of 751 °C. 22…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A thermocouple was used to directly monitor bone temperature, with a mean of 553 °C and a recorded maximum of 751 °C. 22 Bone samples were taken from diaphyses before and after burning to maintain consistency with other studies of elemental concentration. 25 The unburnt samples were defatted in a 2:1 chloroform:methanol mixture.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19,20 Recent attempts to identify bone decomposition prior to burning through histotaphonomical analysis 21 may be unreliable. 22 Identifying when burning took place after death presents a challenge, one addressed here through a study of the physicochemical changes of bones pre- and post-burning up to one year post-deposition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Végh

Márquez‐Grant

2022

Appl Spectrosc

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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 1-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, 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 Neolithic (ca. 3300–2500 cal BC) Ireland. Samples were analysed for major and trace elements by wavelength dispersive electron microprobe analyser (EMP-WDS) and molecular structures by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Linear regression, PCA, LDA, and MANOVA were performed for statistical analysis. Results indicate that the concentrations of elements associated with extracellular fluid (K, Na, Cl) change with the postmortem interval (PMI) and survive burning. K values under 0.07 ± 0.01 wt% in inner and mid-cortical zones of burnt bones suggest that bones were not burnt immediately after death. Using this criterion, results from the archaeological samples would indicate a PMI of at least weeks to months prior to cremation. Ca, P, Fe, Al, Si, and Sr are not significantly altered with burning, and Fe, Al, Si, Sr are also unaffected by the PMI. In unburnt bones increased crystallinity and carbonate loss are detectable in <1 year, but both are obscured by burning. Structurally, the carbonate to phosphate ratio (C/P), the phosphate high temperature (PHT), and cyanamide to phosphate (CN/P) are the most useful ratios for discriminating between unburnt and burnt bones.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A thermocouple was used to directly monitor bone temperature, with a mean of 553 °C and a recorded maximum of 751 °C. 22…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Végh

Márquez‐Grant

2022

Appl Spectrosc

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The Application of Imaging to Heat‐Induced Bone

Carew

Errickson

2023

Burnt Human Remains

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Marine bryozoan colonization of terrestrial biomineralized tissues: Taphonomic insights and forensic implications

Guareschi,

Magni

2024

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The taphonomy and diagenesis of bone and teeth recovered from any environments provide crucial information for forensic sciences and investigations. This leads to the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) and the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) of the organism/s. Aquatic taxa can induce macroscopic and microscopic alterations in biomineralized tissues (e.g., grooves) or can colonize them by attachment (e.g., Bryozoa). Bryozoa are tiny invertebrates that form colonies in freshwater and saltwater. They can survive for years as suspension feeders in all climates. Most marine Bryozoa species have a biomineralized exoskeleton that can be preserved after their death. This research analyzes eight fragments of archeological elephant ivory with a known PMSI of 314 years, which were inhabited by three distinct bryozoan colonies. The variations in the preservation of the bryozoan exoskeletons and the overgrowth of different marine taxa reveal that one colony (lichenoporid cyclostomatid) was alive at the time of the ivory collection from the submerged archeological site while the two other colonies (cheilostomatid) had previously died at different times. The primary objective of this observation is to contribute to the understanding of the taphonomy of terrestrial mammalian biomineralized tissues recovered in marine environments. Additionally, the study discusses the potential forensic implications of this association, such as the evidence of marine submersion and the PMSI. A secondary objective is to present the Bryozoa colonies within a distinctive depositional context, considering that many bryozoan species of the Western Australian coast remain undescribed. The complexity of the Bryozoa ecobiology is also highlighted, with the need of further research (e.g., minimum time for colonization). Finally, this study highlights the urgency of multidisciplinary collaboration to advance aquatic forensic capabilities.

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Assessing the reliability of microbial bioerosion features in burnt bones: A novel approach using feature-labelling in histotaphonomical analysis

Cited by 9 publications

References 79 publications

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

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

The Application of Imaging to Heat‐Induced Bone

Marine bryozoan colonization of terrestrial biomineralized tissues: Taphonomic insights and forensic implications

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