Bone chemistry and past behavior: an overview

Abstract

Human bone is a complex amalgam of compounds and chemicals—a variety of elements and isotopes—arranged in both organic and inorganic phases. In addition to the major components—calcium, phosphate and water—a number of minor and trace elements are also incorporated during the manufacture of bone tissue. These building materials are obtained by ingestion and the chemical composition of bone is thus in part a reflection of the local environment from which foods are obtained. Both isotopes and trace elements in prehistoric bone have been used to obtain information on human diet and the local environment. These new techniques are outlined here as a means for studying questions such as subsistence, status, and residence. Bone mineralization processes are also discussed as a means for the discovery of paleopathology and disease. Example applications are reviewed to document the potential of such techniques for the reconstruction of the past.