Precise temperature estimation of burnt bone from two northwest Australian sites : A preliminary exploration of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques

Heat-altered archaeological bone has been traditionally interpreted using visual assessment. Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy offers the ability to quantify heat-related changes in bone using statistical measures of mineral absorbance. Thisthesis comprises a pilot study of the application of these measures to the archaeological burnt bone from two northwest Australiansites containing evidence of occupation up to 50,000 years. Results are based on comparison with a reference collection ofincrementally-burnt animal bones and indicate influences from heating and post-burial alteration. Regardless, spectroscopicresults are more informative of a heating extent than visual assessments and offer preliminary behavioural indications of past fireuse.