Modelling diagenesis in archaeological bone
This thesis presents a series of papers intended to further our knowledge and understanding of bone taphonomy, with special attention given to the survival of organic molecules (collagen and DNA). An integrated modelling and measuring approach has been taken. Initially, the rate of chemical degradation of bone collagen was estimated from data derived from high temperature laboratory experiments. These rates were then extrapolated to realistic archaeological burial temperatures using palaeoclimatic reconstructions. The model was tested using radiocarbon databases using data on location and collagen yield. Despite the simplicity of the approach and the large errors involved, it does appear that the model may be useful for predicting the limits of collagen survival, although most bones have less collagen than the model predicts. A similar model was produced for the depurination of DNA. The models which are based on rates of chemical deterioration, highlight the role that temperature may play in biomolecular preservation, however they fail to address the complexity of bone taphonomy. A study of bones from a site in southern Italy (Apigliano) identified bone with no evidence of microbial attack, but otherwise severe
Smith, Colin Ian
Modelling diagenesis in archaeological bone. This thesis presents a series of papers intended to further our knowledge and understanding of bone taphonomy, with special attention given to the survival of organic molecules (collagen and DNA). An integrated modelling and measuring approach has been taken. Initially, the rate of chemical degradation of bone collagen was estimated from data derived from high temperature laboratory experiments. These rates were then extrapolated to realistic archaeological burial temperatures using palaeoclimatic reconstructions. The model was tested using radiocarbon databases using data on location and collagen yield. Despite the simplicity of the approach and the large errors involved, it does appear that the model may be useful for predicting the limits of collagen survival, although most bones have less collagen than the model predicts. A similar model was produced for the depurination of DNA. The models which are based on rates of chemical deterioration, highlight the role that temperature may play in biomolecular preservation, however they fail to address the complexity of bone taphonomy. A study of bones from a site in southern Italy (Apigliano) identified bone with no evidence of microbial attack, but otherwise severe
modelling diagenesis archaeological_bone present_series paper intend knowledge bone taphonomy special_attention_give survival organic collagen dna integrate model measure_take initially rate chemical degradation bone_collagen estimate data_derive high_temperature laboratory experiment rate extrapolate realistic archaeological burial temperature use palaeoclimatic reconstruction model test use_radiocarbon database use data location collagen yield despite simplicity large error involve appear model may useful predict limit collagen survival although bone less collagen model predicts similar model produce dna model_base rate chemical deterioration highlight_role temperature may_play biomolecular preservation however_fail address complexity bone taphonomy study bone site_southern italy identify bone evidence microbial attack otherwise severe