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Investigating the Timing and Extent of Juvenile and Fetal Bone Diagenesis in a Temperate Environment

NCJ Number
306225
Journal
Biology Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: 2023 Pages: 403
Author(s)
Amanda R. Hale; Ann H. Ross
Date Published
March 2023
Length
13 pages
Annotation

This study investigates how early bone diagenesis is observed in fetal and juvenile mammalian remains as well as differences in degradation based on the deposition of the remains (e.g., blanket wrapping, shallow burial, etc.).

Abstract

The authors found that there were differences in the extent of bone diagenesis between depositions, with bagged remains exhibiting relatively less degradation over time than the other three depositions, while buried remains exhibited the greatest extent of degradation over time. However, all the remains showed bone diagenesis regardless of time of interment or deposition, with all remains exhibiting alteration as early as three months. This is consistent with adult remains, although the presentation of alteration differs and is likely related to developmental differences between subadult and adult bone. (Published abstract provided)