An assessment of the value of bone density measurements to archaeoichthyological studies

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4677657
AutoresRebecca A Nicholson (0000-0003-1574-6713, University of York, autor correspondente)
Ano1992
Volume2
Fascículo2
Páginas139-154
Data de publicação1992-06-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.1390020206
OpenAlexW2017364087
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas25
Referências citadas7

This paper reviews the meaning of the term 'density' and the problems associated with the methods of density determination for animal bones in archaeology. It has often been assumed that density is the intrinsic property of most influence in controlling the rate of a bone's decay. Values for whole bone density have been published only for large mammal bone, however. Fish bone appears to be particularly vulnerable to decay, and usually a restricted range of skeletal elements are recovered from archaeological sites. The object of this study was to examine the relationship between fish bone density and the ability of the bone to survive on occupation sites and in archaeological deposits. A set of 'density' measurements was established for the bones of cod (Gadus morhua). The usefulness of these measurements as a predictive tool in archaeoichthyological studies is assessed. It was found that 'density' as measured did not explain adequately the relative survival of skeletal elements after mechanical abrasion and weathering, or within archaeological deposits

Archaeology · Biology · Bone density · Bone mineral · Composite material · Fish · Fish bone · Fishery · Gadus · Geography · Osteoporosis · Taphonomy · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · Materials Science · Anatomy