Assessing the reliability of microbial bioerosion features in burnt bones: A novel approach using feature-labelling in histotaphonomical analysis

• The study investigated pre-burning condition of pig bones as a proxy for humans. Systematic analysis histotaphonomic features by data labelling application. Most microbial bioerosion are not accurate proxies in determining degree decomposition on burnt bones. Budded MFD might have the potential to be used bones, but further research is needed. Recent studies focused presence thought caused either bacteria (microscopic focal destruction/MFD and cyanobacterial tunnelling) or fungal (Wedl tunnelling types 1 2) attack unburnt bone. Identifying these characteristics could indicate state before burning, with important repercussions both archaeological forensic contexts. Fleshed (Sus scrofa, N = 25) tibiae were left exposed field, then collected at 14-, 34-, 91-, 180-, 365-day intervals being an outdoor fire (?750 °C). Fresh (fleshed) legs (N 10) acted controls. Thin sections examined using transmitted light microscopy backscattered scanning electron microscopy. Diagenetic traits quantitatively systematically assessed novel application developed this study. Features meeting published (‘Wedl tunnelling’, ‘lamellate’ ‘budded MFD’) significantly correlated time since deposition Only budded increased over groups. However, Wedl 2 present fresh indicating that they artefact. many seemingly indistinguishable from those freshly control suggests burning only able conceal result can produce them well. Thus, such reliable indication bioerosion. may viable indicator more required.