Thermal properties of fossilized mammal bone remnants of the Urals

Late-Quaternary material of various rodent species remnants (lower jaws and teeth) of different depth and age burials from zoogenic deposits in karstic cavities of the Urals (Russia) has been analyzed by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Exothermic peaks position and shape as well as quantitative values of mass loss and heat effects (especially parameters of organic matter combustion at 200-600 A degrees C) were found to vary significantly depending on bone's age and fossilization conditions. On the basis of correlation between bone organic component and corresponding concentrations of some trace elements, three different types of fossilization had been proposed. The obtained values of the organic contents in the bone remnants of similar type and location were used to identify different age admixtures as well as chronologically systematize large sample collections.