Experimental taphonomy: preliminary results of the digestion of micromammal bones in the laboratory

Abstract

Preliminary experiments with acidic and enzymatic attack on rodent bones have been conducted in order to simulate digestion effects to gain a better understanding of the parameters that control digestion. This experiment shows that bone corrosion is controlled by enzymatic activity and probably time, and not only by low pH as proposed by several authors. A comparison with acid-soil corroded and fossilized bones shows great differences between surface modifications.