The effects of exogenous substances on the color of heated bones.
Am J Biol Anthropol
; 184(2): e24905, 2024 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38291805
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Burned bone coloration has been used for decades to help in the bioanthropological analysis of burned human bones. However, there is a variety of factors that can interfere with the coloration manifested by bones exposed to heat, resulting in colors that differ from the usual black to white gradient. In this study, we evaluated possible causes of unusual coloration changes and hues in burned bone. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
For that purpose, defleshed fresh pig (Sus scrofa) ribs as well as fresh and dry human clavicles were burned at four different temperatures (500, 700, 900 and 1100°C) in contact with different materials (CaO, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, and polyester cloth). Observable color changes were assessed through naked eye observation and description, Munsell color charts, and reflectance spectrophotometry. Additionally, chemical changes in bone were assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF).RESULTS:
Our results showed that some materials did affect usual burned bone coloration (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) and correspondent FTIR-ATR and XRF spectra. As for other materials, although no effect on visual bone coloration was observed, they still affected FTIR-ATR and XRF spectra (CaO and cloth).DISCUSSION:
This study can contribute to the anthropological analysis of burned human remains, providing some answers to what can cause unusual types of heat-induced colorations.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Color
/
Calor
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Biol Anthropol
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Portugal