Dear Sarah,
In Behrensmeyer’s (1978) research on bone weathering, she describes the third stage in her five
stage recording methodology as follows:-
Stage 3 – Bone surface is characterised by patches of rough, homogeneously weathered compact
bone, resulting in a fibrous texture. In these patches, all the external, concentrically layered
bone has been removed. Gradually the patches extend to cover the entire bone surface. Weathering
does not penetrate deeper than 1.0-1.5mm at this stage, and bone fibers are still firmly attached to
each other. Crack edges usually are rounded in cross-section.
The removal of a millimetre or more of cortical bone through weathering may be what you’re
seeing. The dryness of the bone would also fit with weathering, although this could of course be
explained by a variety of taphonomic processes. Does the bone have a rough, fibrous texture? If not
the thinning of the cortex could result from other post-depositional processes such as abrasion.
Behrensmeyer, A. 1978. Taphonomic and ecologic information from bone weathering. Paleobiology 4(2),
pp. 150-162.
I only have a paper version of the Behresmeyer article but I can send you a copy if needed.
Hope this helps
Richard
Richard Madgwick
PhD Candidate
School of History & Archaeology
Cardiff University
Humanities Building
Colum Drive
Cardiff CF10 3EU
(029) 20879049 (osteoarchaeology lab)
>>> Sarah Croker <[log in to unmask]> 18/03/2009 06:51 >>>
Dear Zooarch members,
Is anyone aware of any studies that have looked at the effect of
weathering on the thickness of the bone cortex? I have noticed it
occasionally on bones, where they are extremely white, dry, light and
thin. I am interested in thickness rather than density, but anything
might be helpful.
Thank you very much!
Sarah Croker
PhD Student
Shellshear Museum
Department of Anatomy and Histology
Building F13
University of Sydney
NSW 2006
Ph: 02 9351 6545
Em: [log in to unmask]
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