ABSTRACT
By careful examination of these alterations, information concerning the source and temperature of the causative heat source can be determined. Fourth, weather (especially sunlight) has a distinctive effect on bone that is recognizable by the configuration of cracks, flaking of the cortex, and overall discoloration (e.g., graying). Fifth, burial can deform bone by the application of differential pressure and the presence of erosive soil acids. Finally, water causes damage during transportation as bone is abraded while being pushed along the bottom or sides of a watercourse. Because all these subjects are important in taphonomic analysis, this chapter presents a discussion of the types of changes to skeletal remains caused by each of these forces.
