Diagenetic Stability of Cremated Bone: A Geochemical Examination of Elemental Mobility

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Abstract

The crystal structure of cremated bones recovered from archaeological sites is thought to be chemically stable after burial. Yet, understanding the constancy of elemental composition post-cremation and burial remains incomplete, potentially involving exchanges with the environment and leaching of endogenous trace elements. A Bos taurus femur was sectioned and burnt at controlled temperatures (250-700°C) and subsequently subjected to a simulated burial solution (comprising K, Mg, Al, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cl, Na at 10 ppm and Fe, Zr, Si, Ce, S, Mn at 1 ppm). The aim of this study was to mirror potential elemental introduction processes post-burning. Major and trace element concentrations pre- and post-burning and pre- and post-doping were determined using micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) high-resolution element mapping and linescans (25 or 200 μm resolution from the inner trabecular surface towards the outer bone cortex), as well as bulk inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These measurements were repeated following standard pretreatments procedures typically applied in preparation of the analysis of cremated bones for 14C dating and isotopic studies. Elemental mobility was simulated with a diffusion-advection model. Preliminary results indicate stability in major elements (Ca and P) in bone. Bone burnt up to 600°C displays uptake in Al, Mn, Zn, Sr, and Ba, not observed at 700°C. Conversely, Mg and Cl show an inverted pattern, while K and S demonstrate a tendency to leach out of bone. Thus, cremated bones not reaching calcination lack chemical stability, showing uptake and leaching of specific elements.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUK Archaeological Sciences Conference
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 105105 Geochemistry

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