TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONE IN THE BURIAL ENVIRONMENT

Proteins extracted from both bones and teeth found in archaeological c ontexts are used for radiocarbon dating, amino acid racemization age a t death determinations, and genetic and dietary studies. The changes i nduced in these proteins as a result of decomposition by known micro-o rganisms have been little studied. The decomposition pathways of these proteins, and indeed the organisms involved, have not been comprehens ively defined. This paper attempts to suggest which types of micro-org anisms are likely to be involved in this decomposition and outlines th eir characteristics. This paper also describes the use of bone and too th, with their associated soils, from various archaeological contexts, as source material for the isolation of fungi and bacteria by enrichm ent culture at 10-degrees-C. Samples from various soil types and archa eological periods were included in the trial. Bacterial and fungal iso lates that tested positive for a collagenase were identified. Decompos ition studies, which continue, are outlined.