Evaluation of the degree of diagenesis in fossil bones by infrared spectroscopy

In this paper the fossil bone conservation and the diagenetic changes are studied by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Several parameters that describe crystallographic and chemical composition of the bone are used. The possible differences in the behavior of the bones to the diagenesis having its origin in the age of the animal or its taxonomy (red deer, bison, reindeer, wildpig) are discussed. Some samples have incorporated in its structure secondary phases (calcite) that may be removed by rinsing acid but not in all the cases. It notes that some diagenetic parameters values vary with the age of the individual but not with taxonomic differences. Most of the changes are related to the loss of collage