Differentiation of archaeological ivory and bone materials by micro-PIXE/PIGE with emphasis on two Upper Palaeolithic key sites: Abri Pataud and Isturitz, France

Towards a Better Understanding of Alteration Phenomena of Archaeological Bone by a Closer Look at the Organic/Mineral Association at Micro- and Nanoscale. Preliminary Results on Neolithic Samples from Chalain Lake Site 19, Jura, France

“…All values observed for the archaeological samples lie above those observed in modern references [49]. Represented area corresponds to 120×220 μm 2 . SR microFTIR maps of the same zone b) of the amide I/phosphate ratio (ca.…”

“…In archaeological studies they are, among others, used to estimate the number of individuals that lived at a given archaeological site, [1] and to get information on the exploitation of animal troops by humans of past societies (mode of use, treating with primary materials, fabrication techniques) [2][3][4][5]. As biological materials they also register in their chemical and isotopic composition a wealth of information on the life style of individuals [6][7][8][9][10].…”

Informative Potential of Multiscale Observations in Archaeological Biominerals Down to Nanoscale

“…The growth line sequence, exploited using an isotopic analysis approach on micro-milled samples across the tusk, allow the determination of climatic variations, palaeodietary reconstructions and an estimation of the animal age (Codron et al 2012;Fox and Fisher 2004;Fox et al 2007). The elemental composition also varies significantly from the central tusk cavity to the cement layer of the tusk and variations in trace element concentrations (Mn, Zn, Sr) have been correlated to the growth lines in order to derive from it information on the environmental conditions during life time (Prozesky et al 1995;Müller and Reiche 2011).…”

“…Such multi-scale analytical approach combining different complementary methods was recently adapted to determine the preservation state of archaeological elephant ivories and bone. The investigation allowed characterizing both, the mineral and organic phase of ivory, with 2D and 3D structural information on the small samples at all length scales of the hierarchical tissue (Chadefaux and Reiche 2009;Large et al 2011;Müller and Reiche 2011;Reiche 2009aReiche and Chadefaux 2009;Reiche et al 2003Reiche et al , 2007Reiche et al , 2010Reiche et al , 2011aAlbéric et al 2014). …”

Análisis pixe en muestras óseas subfósiles: ensayo de un protocolo de preparación

“…Por lo tanto, en los estudios de elementos traza de huesos subfósiles es importante destacar la incorporación de algunos de estos elementos durante el proceso de fosilización (Kyle, 1986) y es por eso que el objetivo principal de este trabajo es diseñar un protocolo de preparación de muestras que asegure la eliminación de ese aporte químico diagenético antes de realizar el análisis mediante la técnica PIXE. Una técnica que no siendo la más común en este tipo de estudios (Shafer et al, 2008), es aplicada en el análisis de muestras óseas arqueológicas (Elliott & Grime, 1993;Gaschen et al, 2008;Goodwin et al, 2007;Müller & Reiche, 2011;Reiche et al, 1999) y presenta la ventaja de ser una técnica no destructiva.…”