Pixe analysis in subfossil bone samples: testing a preparation protocol

Abstract

Nowadays, we are obtaining new information about our history using genetic and physic-chemical analysis on subfossil bones. Nevertheless, during the fossilization there are several processes that could change the results of these kinds of analysis. The chemical composition could change due to processes of dissolution, precipitation, absorption, mineral substitution or recrystallization. All of these problems are being studied by different research teams with different objectives, but in this paper, we have essayed some protocols to clean samples in the study of ancient bioaccumulations registered in subfossil bones using PIXE technique.