EVALUACIÓN DE LA DIAGÉNESIS ÓSEA MEDIANTE EL USO DE MICROSCOPÍA ELECTRÓNICA DE BARRIDO (MEB): APROXIMACIONES ANALÍTICAS APLICABLES A MUESTRAS ARQUEOLÓGICAS

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review analytic approaches to bone diagenesis based on the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In order to do this, we present a) a synthesis of current knowledge about diagenetic processes affecting the histological integrity of human and faunal skeletal remains in terrestrial sedimentary deposits; b) a brief description of the general principles of electron microscopy, particularly of SEM, and c) a comparison of the main differences -in terms of requirements, recoverable information, and associated pros and cons- between analyses centered on the use of either of the two main kinds of images produced by a SEM, i.e., backscattered electron images and secondary electron images. It is concluded that, given the relatively wide availability of this technology, the critical factor to a more active involvement of SEM in archaeological and bioanthropological research is not the access to equipment, but the correct identification of the research problems to be solved, as well as the proper selection and implementation of the observational and analytical techniques to be employed.