The Effects of Weathering on Bone Preservation

Blau, Soren

doi:10.1002/9781118953358.ch15

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Grave reopening additionally exposes body or skeletal remains and affects the decomposition processes, especially bearing in mind a significantly high degree of grave disturbance in Banat. These taphonomic processes can be traced to many bones from reopened graves as post‐mortem subaerial weathering changes (Blau, 2017; Junod & Pokines, 2013). The most common changes in reopened graves are longitudinal bone‐cracking (Figure 9a), followed by examples of small cracks visible on the bone surface (Figure 9b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking from the dead: Grave disturbance of Sarmatian cemeteries in the Banat region

Pavlović

Grumeza

Roksandić

et al. 2022

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The phenomenon of intensive grave disturbance of the Carpathian Basin graves in the Antiquity is especially associated with the Sarmatian cemeteries, dated to between the first and early fifth centuries CE. In this paper, this phenomenon was investigated in 20 cemeteries (179 graves) from the Banat region (East Serbia and West Romania). Analyses showed that more than half of the graves in the Banat were reopened, without any regional or inter-site difference, as well as no sex or age preferences. Applying archeothanatological methodology to filed documentation and published reports, we were able to discern three patterns of grave disturbance: displacement of the elements of the upper body; disarticulation and dislodgement of the entire body, and haphazard removal of the body together with the content of the graves. Results showed that grave reopenings heavily damaged skeletal remains by shifting bones, throwing them on the ground surface due to grave shoveling, and leaving the graves reopened without backfilling with skeletal remains being exposed for a longer period, which is confirmed by the traces of subaerial weathering changes on skeletal material. Graves were reopened after the full skeletonization of the corpse, yet in some cases with funerary containers or clothing still present, meaning that graves were opened several years after the burial. Previous theories on Huns and Avars being perpetrators could be confirmed only for later cemeteries, while the earlier ones could be reopened by the Sarmatian contemporaries, local community, or even descendants. Archeological evidence of grave reopening confirmed grave robbery as the most likely motivation, while no special criteria in the selection of removed grave items were confirmed, probably in the turbulent period of Late Antiquity with intensive wars and raids happened in the Carpathian Basin.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking from the dead: Grave disturbance of Sarmatian cemeteries in the Banat region

Pavlović

Grumeza

Roksandić

et al. 2022

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…Bones exposed on terrestrial landscapes deteriorate chemically and mechanically over time and, in doing so, progress through a series of BSM stages (i.e., “weathering stages”) from bleaching and shallow, longitudinal cracking and flaking of the outermost lamellae to splintering and exfoliation of the original cortical surface and, eventually, complete disintegration (G. J. Miller, 1975; Behrensmeyer, 1978; Johnson, 1985; Junod & Pokines, 2013; Blau, 2017) (Figure 6). Because this sequence is predictable and correlates with time, weathering is commonly used in forensic contexts to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI), especially when corpses are fully skeletonized and do not occur with temporally informative cultural material.…”

Section: Classes Of Bone Surface Modifications and Their Identificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cruel traces: Bone surface modifications and their relevance to forensic science

Egeland

Pickering

2020

WIREs Forensic Science

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The reconstruction of perimortem and postmortem events is of critical importance to criminal investigations. In many cases, the information required for these reconstructions can be accessed through the analysis of skeletal remains. One particular class of skeletal data—trauma to the surfaces of bones, or bone surface modifications (BSMs)—can reveal much about the perimortem and postmortem intervals. While the study of BSMs originated within the fields of paleontology and archeology and was only later integrated into forensic science, a fruitful interdisciplinary exchange of data and methods is now commonplace. BSMs from thermal alteration, sharp‐force trauma, terrestrial and aquatic scavengers and predators, bacteria and fungi, insects, weathering, and sediment abrasion can supply investigators with valuable information about the agents and events of a corpse's deposition, including weapon type, local environmental conditions, the postmortem interval, and the presence, temperature(s), and/or length(s) of thermal exposure. Based on a review of this rich body of literature, we argue that (a) all associations between a BSM and its alleged source must rest on observational cause‐and‐effect studies; (b) secure identifications of BSMs should rely both on the intrinsic features of the modifications themselves and relevant contextual data; (c) the scientific validity of BSM research depends, ultimately, on rigorous blind‐testing and the establishment of error rates; and (d) researchers need to make a concerted effort to enhance interanalyst correspondence through objective definitions, measurements, and/or codes of BSM features. The most promising path forward lies in the combination of digital image analysis and multivariate predictive modeling. This article is categorized under: Forensic Anthropology > Trauma Analysis Forensic Anthropology > Taphonomic Changes and the Environment Forensic Anthropology > Time Since Death Estimation

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“…Extrinsic variables include rainfall, temperature, and wind; while intrinsic variables include bone type, taxa, and size as well as pathological conditions such as osteoporosis. Certainly, the weakened structure of burnt bone undergoes differential weathering rates and patterns when compared with an unburnt bone [4,[9][10][11]. Significant improvements in this understanding have led to improved recovery of burnt skeletal remains in forensic cases [3,[12][13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This research and additional contributions [ 6 – 8 ] led to an index for classifying the effects of the deposition environment on the physical breakdown of bone. The potential effects of extrinsic and intrinsic variables should be taken into consideration when interpreting weathering stages [ 9 ]. Extrinsic variables include rainfall, temperature, and wind; while intrinsic variables include bone type, taxa, and size as well as pathological conditions such as osteoporosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival of sharp force trauma in burnt bones: effects of environmental factors

2022

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This study investigates how environmental variables, such as temperature and rainfall, affect previously induced cut marks on burnt bones. This research used non-serrated and serrated blade knives to inflict trauma on Sus scrofa ribs (n = 240). The bones were later burnt and left for 1 month in a taphonomic experimental facility. Qualitative and quantitative examinations were conducted using macroscopic and microscopic techniques to assess specific characteristics of the cut marks. Any changes to the dimension and morphology of the cut marks as well as their level of fragmentation were recorded.This study has led to three important outcomes: (1) identification of pre-existing cut marks is possible in reconstructed burnt bone fragments; (2) cut marks from different types of knife blades showed dissimilar responses to heat and the environment; and (3) specific environmental variables affect burnt bone fragmentation. These results have implications for trauma analysis on burnt remains in forensic anthropology casework.

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The Effects of Weathering on Bone Preservation

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Taking from the dead: Grave disturbance of Sarmatian cemeteries in the Banat region

Taking from the dead: Grave disturbance of Sarmatian cemeteries in the Banat region

Cruel traces: Bone surface modifications and their relevance to forensic science

Survival of sharp force trauma in burnt bones: effects of environmental factors

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