Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science

Understanding the composition and diagenetic processes of the deposition environment is pivotal to understanding why bone undergoes preservation or diagenesis. This research explores the complex nexus of diagenesis at the extremes of preservation, via the interdependent chemical, and short- and long...

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Main Authors: Rhys Williams, Tim Thompson, Caroline Orr, Gillian Taylor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Humans
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/5/1/2
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author Rhys Williams
Tim Thompson
Caroline Orr
Gillian Taylor
author_facet Rhys Williams
Tim Thompson
Caroline Orr
Gillian Taylor
author_sort Rhys Williams
collection DOAJ
description Understanding the composition and diagenetic processes of the deposition environment is pivotal to understanding why bone undergoes preservation or diagenesis. This research explores the complex nexus of diagenesis at the extremes of preservation, via the interdependent chemical, and short- and long-term microbial processes that influence diagenesis. These processes include dissolution, ion exchange, hydrolysis, recrystallisation, waterlogging, acidity and alkalinity, soil composition, redox potential, bacterial activity, and microbiome composition. Diagenetic processes are discussed in relation to typical sites and sites with extremes of preservation. Understanding site conditions that impact diagenetic processes is critical to understanding the visual features presented in recovered skeletal material, ensuring an appropriate post-mortem interval is assigned, and for subsequent post hoc analysis of bone.
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spelling doaj-art-aed4419a821c448a8a8069d0d293ff302025-08-20T02:11:26ZengMDPI AGHumans2673-94612025-01-0151210.3390/humans5010002Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic ScienceRhys Williams0Tim Thompson1Caroline Orr2Gillian Taylor3Department of Forensic Science, Loyola University Maryland, 4501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, USADepartment of Anthropology, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, IrelandSchool of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UKSchool of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UKUnderstanding the composition and diagenetic processes of the deposition environment is pivotal to understanding why bone undergoes preservation or diagenesis. This research explores the complex nexus of diagenesis at the extremes of preservation, via the interdependent chemical, and short- and long-term microbial processes that influence diagenesis. These processes include dissolution, ion exchange, hydrolysis, recrystallisation, waterlogging, acidity and alkalinity, soil composition, redox potential, bacterial activity, and microbiome composition. Diagenetic processes are discussed in relation to typical sites and sites with extremes of preservation. Understanding site conditions that impact diagenetic processes is critical to understanding the visual features presented in recovered skeletal material, ensuring an appropriate post-mortem interval is assigned, and for subsequent post hoc analysis of bone.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/5/1/2archaeologyboneburialdecompositionchemistrymicrobiology
spellingShingle Rhys Williams
Tim Thompson
Caroline Orr
Gillian Taylor
Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science
Humans
archaeology
bone
burial
decomposition
chemistry
microbiology
title Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science
title_full Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science
title_fullStr Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science
title_full_unstemmed Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science
title_short Bone Diagenesis and Extremes of Preservation in Forensic Science
title_sort bone diagenesis and extremes of preservation in forensic science
topic archaeology
bone
burial
decomposition
chemistry
microbiology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/5/1/2
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