Bone diagenesis of archaeological human remains from Apulia (Italy) investigated by ATR-FTIR and XRF spectroscopy
- Authors: Sciatti A.; Marzullo P.; Chirco G.; Piacenza E.; Arcidiacono F.; Dellù E.; Chillura Martino D.F.
- Publication year: 2023
- Type: Articolo in rivista
- Key words: Archaeological bone; Diagenesis; Human remains; ATR-FTIR; XRF
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/584171
Abstract
The analysis of the organic and mineral content of biological samples allows to define post-mortem alterations and the preservation status of ancient human remains. Here, we report a physical-chemical characterization of bone specimens from some skeletal remains found in Apulia (Italy) dating back to the prehistoric, classic-hellenistic, and medieval periods. Specific infrared band ratios from Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform InfraRed and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies were considered to evaluate the extent of the diagenetic process and the elemental composition of bone.Physical-chemical post-mortem transformations were related to the soil composition and specificity of tissue districts, burial rituals, probable dietary customs and pathologies.