Analysis of fracture patterns from experimentally marrow-cracked frozen and thawed cattle bones

Abstract

Pre-breakage treatment of bones affects fracture mechanics and bone-breakage patterns. Understanding the results of various treatments leads to a more objective interpretation of archaeological faunal assemblages. Little is known about the specifics of fracture pattern differences between frozen and thawed bone, which is important in the context of studying potential frozen meat caches. This study reports the results of experiments performing hammerstone bone-breakage on frozen and thawed cattle femora and humeri with the periosteum and a thin layer of muscle meat left intact. Results indicate that the frozen or thawed state of the bone influenced the extent and type of fracture and resulting fragments. These differences potentially allow for the macroscopic identification of frozen and thawed marrow-cracked bones from an archaeological assemblage or scavenging site.