Histological and stable isotope analysis of archeological bones from St. Rombout's cemetery (Mechelen, Belgium): Intrasite, intraindividual, and intrabone variability

Abstract

This study compares histological preservation in archeological bones from different burial types to unravel the histotaphonomy-to-funerary practices relationship. Αn intraskeletal approach is also adopted to explore intraindividual (inner ear part of the petrous bone vs. upper/lower limb long bones) and intrabone (proximal vs. distal diaphysis) variability in bone collagen preservation, δ 13 C, and δ 15 N. The aim is to (a) target bones that likely retain higher amounts of collagen, (b) better understand the inner ear bone collagen isotopic signature and remodeling, and (c) assess intrabone isotopic and histological homogeneity. For the histological analysis, the data have been collected from 61 specimens (20 individuals) from the medieval/ postmedieval cemetery of St. Rombout, Belgium. Thin sections have been studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. For the collagen and isotopic data, 101 samples have been collected from 21 individuals. Distinct histological patterns are observed only in bones from single coffin burials; however, bone histology can display intraindividual and intrabone variability, which are important to account for interpretations. Collagen wt.%, δ 13 C, and δ 15 N show significant intraindividual differences but insignificant intrabone variability. This study also confirms the extraordinary nature of the petrous bone, as the inner ear bone collagen δ 13 C and δ 15 N values reflect the dietary input of the first approximately 2-3 years of life.

Bone of contention: Intra-element variability in remodelling of human femora based on histomorphometric and isotope analyses

“…Whilst intra-individual bone remodelling variation and its effect on stable isotope values has been repeatedly investigated [e.g., 7 – 9 , 54 , 62 ], work on intra-element variation is relatively limited. Kontopoulos et al [ 63 ] examined intra-element variability in bone collagen δ 13 C and δ 15 N isotopes in the proximal versus distal diaphysis of limb bones. No statistically significant difference in isotope values between the two regions was detected, except for one non-adult individual.…”

Histotaphonomic analysis of bone bioerosion reveals a regional framework of diverse deathways in the Neolithic of Southeast Italy

“…Primary burial, in which the dead body progresses through full decomposition in a grave or other feature surrounded by soil, is expected to result in extensive bacterial bioerosion, and this is commonly observed in bones from articulated skeletons that were probably buried whole and intact soon after death [ 14 , 39 , 40 ]. Diverse post-mortem treatments such as coffin burial, excarnation, defleshing, and disarticulation may lead to absent or partial bacterial bioerosion, related to the ecology of the depositional environment, perhaps also in tandem with the location of the body during the decomposition process [ 55 – 57 ].…”