Ancient Nubian human bone: A chemical and ultrastructural characterization including collagen

Human bone 14,000 years of age from the Egyptian Nubian Desert has shown ultrastructural preservation of fossilized fibers with a periodicity of 600 A. Intact Haversian systems were retained, but hydroxyproline and nitrogen contents were negligible. The fluorine content was markedly elevated. The complex chemical process of fossilization which resulted in retention of gross and micromorphology was examined and indicated the loss of organic material with probable replacement of some hydroxyapatite by amorphous and crystalline carbonates and phosphates.