Simultaneous PIXE/PIGE was used to determine the concentration of 20 elements including N, O, F, Na, Mg, P, Ca (PIGE) and Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb (PIXE) in a number of animal and human rib samples, marrow, and the IAEA CRM Animal Bone (H-5). Samples and standards were bombarded with 2.5 and 4.0 MeV external proton beams. The minimum detection limits for most of the minor and trace elements ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 ppm. The sample preparation procedure for the nondestructive instrumental analysis of bone is discussed in detail. The analysis method is fast, nondestructive and offers selective analysis of the cortical and cancellous surface of the same bone sample.