Hello Rachel,
Your initial assertion about the chimp bones was spot on; these are pathological changes that you’re seeing, absolutely not related to any degradation by chemical/physical agents. They are
changes related to infection or inflammation of the periosteum (thin membrane that covered the bone in life). This causes cortical bone remodelling and new bone formation. If you’re seeing it on a number of bones on both sides of the skeleton, it’s indicative
of systemic infection/inflammation rather than a local cause such as an injury that exposed the bone to bacteria. The ‘tide marks’ are the borders of the new bone formation. Sometimes it can be linked to nutritional deficits such as scurvy, particularly in
captive animals, which would also explain a high prevalence and a ‘light weight’ nature to the bone, although it doesn’t sound like this was a captive chimp?
I hope that’s helpful!
Heather
Dr Heather Bonney
Principal Curator/Senior Curator in Charge of Anthropology
Department of Earth Sciences
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5014
Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5546
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rachel Jennings
Sent: 17 July 2018 15:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Cause of damage to bones?
Dear all,
I'm looking for advice!
Short version: my chimp bones look weird, and I want to know if the preparation method has damaged them.
Long version:
I'm cataloguing our collection of chimpanzee skeletons at the Powell-Cotton Museum, and have come across several specimens that have damage, particularly on the limb bones. They appear porous, are lightweight, and some have swelled up.
Most also have obvious 'tide marks'. The first time I saw it, I assumed it was disease, but now I've seen a number that look the same, I'm wondering if it's damage caused by the preparation method?
They were originally roughly defleshed in the field (1930s), then stored at the museum with the remaining dry flesh on them until the 1980s, when they were prepped properly. They were cleaned using an enzyme called Corolase N, and bleach.
Does anyone know if this could have caused the damage I'm seeing? Or have other suggestions?
Please feel free to reply off-list. I can try to supply better pictures if needed!
Thanks very much,
Rachel
Project Curator (Natural History)
Powell-Cotton Museum
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