Thanks to all who replied with very interesting information! 
 
Best wishes, Marloes
 
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:05:31 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] bone charcoal
To: [log in to unmask]

Ah Simon, what a great Friday afternoon fact! Yes, it is, just looked it up:

 

1550s, from M.E. banefire (late 15c.), originally a fire in which bones were burned.

 

Brilliant.

 

Cheers, Naomi

 
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Simon Davis [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 29 April 2011 17:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] bone charcoal

I seem to remember that the English Word BONFIRE is derived from BONEFIRE!

Simon Davis

 

 

 

De: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Em nome de Barry W. Baker
Enviada: sexta-feira, 29 de Abril de 2011 15:51
Para: [log in to unmask]
Assunto: Re: [ZOOARCH] bone charcoal

 

Dear Marloes,

You wrote: "Does anyone has information/articles on the use of bone as charcoal or the use of powdered bone in the past? "

While I don't have information on the use of bone charcoal in prehistory, here's a very early paper that may be of interest:

Anonymous. 1828. On the Preparation and uses of the Animal Charcoal, Known, Usually, Under the Name of Ivory-Black, or Bone-Black, and Especially on its use in Refining Sugar.  Journal of the Franklin Institute 6(2):80-86.

The full text of this article is available for free on Google Books.


Bone charcoal was also used historically as paint pigment:

van Loon, A., and J.J. Boon. 2004. Characterization of the Deterioration of Bone Black in the 17th Century Oranjezaal Paintings Using Electron-microscopic and Micro-spectroscopic Imaging Techniques.  Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy 59(10-11):1601-1609.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Barry W. Baker

Forensic Scientist - Morphology
United States Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. National Fish & Wildlife Forensics Laboratory
Morphology Section
1490 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520-1310
USA

Web: http://www.lab.fws.gov

Adjunct Professor of Anthropology
Anthropology Program
Department of Social Sciences, Policy, and Culture
Southern Oregon University
Ashland, Oregon
USA

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