title: Characterization of archaeological burnt bones: contribution of a new analytical protocol based on derivative FTIR spectroscopy and curve fitting of the nu1nu3 PO4 domain.
abstract: Derivative Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and curve fitting have been used to investigate the effect of a thermal treatment on the nu(1)nu(3) PO(4) domain of modern bones. This method was efficient for identifying mineral matter modifications during heating. In particular, the 961, 1022, 1061, and 1092 cm(-1) components show an important wavenumber shift between 120 and 700 degrees C, attributed to the decrease of the distortions induced by the removal of CO(3)(2-) and HPO(4)(2-) ions from the mineral lattice. The so-called 1030/1020 ratio was used to evaluate crystalline growth above 600 degrees C. The same analytical protocol was applied on Magdalenian fossil bones from the Bize-Tournal Cave (France). Although the band positions seem to have been affected by diagenetic processes, a wavenumber index--established by summing of the 961, 1022, and 1061 cm(-1) peak positions--discriminated heated bones better than the 1030/1020 ratio, and the splitting factor frequently used to identify burnt bones in an archaeological context. This study suggest that the combination of derivative and curve-fitting analysis may afford a sensitive evaluation of the maximum temperature reached, and thus contribute to the fossil-derived knowledge of human activities related to the use of fire.
authors.affiliation: Département de Préhistoire, Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, UMR5198, 1, rue René Panhard, 75013, Paris, France. lebon@mnhn.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lebon
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Reiche
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.forename: J-J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bahain
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falguères
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry*; D002254:Carbonates; D005580:Fossils; D005602:France; D006358:Hot Temperature; D010710:Phosphates; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D010710:Phosphates