Preparation of thin histological sections from archaeological bone and tooth samples

0566827 - ARÚB 2023 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Vacková, Soňa - Boriová, Soňa - Sázelová, Sandra - Králík, M.
Preparation of thin histological sections from archaeological bone and tooth samples.
Anthropologia integra. Roč. 13, č. 2 (2022), s. 29-38. ISSN 1804-6657
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA20-26094S
Keywords : mammal hard tissue * histology * embedding medium * epoxy resin replicas * thin section preparation
OECD category: Archaeology
Method of publishing: Open access
https://journals.muni.cz/anthropologia_integra/article/view/32967

Histological analysis of osteological remains from archaeological excavations provides data and information that can be difficult or impossible to obtain from macroscopic description and examination. Furthermore, the microscopic perspective provides important evidence for taxonomically indeterminate samples lacking morphologically diagnostic marks, e.g. determination of human/non-human boneorigin, and can provide further information about analysed individual, e.g. studying of developmental stress in dental enamel. Microscopy of bone and tooth samples requires preparation of good quality thin histological sections for transmitted and polarized light microscopy examination and analysis. Th is paper presents detailed methodology description in several main steps which were modifi ed to fi t our laboratory. Finally, we suggest an easily repeatable protocol and know-how fi tting in similar or identical laboratory conditions, including equipment, consumables, and other items.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0340875