From the grave to the lab: evaluation of archaeological human bone preservation based on micro-computed tomography analysis

Abstract

Abstract Timely understanding of the preservation status of archaeological human bones is the foundation for conducting scientific archaeological work. This paper applies Micro-CT technology to analyze the microscopic preservation status of ancient human femora unearthed from the Rui State site in Liangdai Village, Hancheng, Shaanxi, the Chejiasi Cemetery in Baoji, and the Ouerping Cemetery in Xizhou Village, Yushe, Shanxi, and obtained imaging results and cortical bone porosity (Ct.Po), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), and bone density (BMD) parameters for 9 samples. The results show that the poorly preserved fragile group has lower Ct.Po, BV/TV, and BMD, and macroscopically presents fragile and porous features; while the well-preserved dense group has relatively higher Ct.Po, BV/TV, and BMD, and macroscopically appears solid and dense. This study employs Micro-CT technology to analyze the micro-preservation status of human bones from historical periods, confirming the effectiveness of this technology in revealing the microstructure of ancient human bones, and providing a reference for establishing a human bone preservation status evaluation system.

Keywords

• Micro-CT
• Archaeological human bone
• Bone preservation
• Cortical porosity
• Bone volume fraction
• Bone mineral density