Microbial taphonomy of archaeological bone

Abstract

Taphonomy is the study of all changes that occur within an animal or plant following death. Bone is the predominant material of animal origin to survive within the archaeological environment. It is the source of a wealth of information concerning the relationships, diets, disease and ages of people (and animals) in past cultures. For this information to be extracted and interpreted, there is a need for conservators and archaeological scientists to be aware of the processes of taphonomic change which may occur in bone. These changes are legion; this paper attempts to define some of the major changes seen in bone which may be attributable to the various actions of microorganisms.