Preliminary analysis on the cause of the pale pink colouration of human bones from Baoji archaeological sites by stimulated Raman scattering imaging

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the pale pink human bones unearthed in Baoji, Shaanxi, China. A range of scientific techniques were employed in the analysis, including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, stimulated Raman scattering microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The objective of this study is to explore the reasons for the observed colouration of the bones. The pink bones are poorly preserved and contain high levels of Fe³⁺, most likely causing their colour and poor condition. This is linked to the region’s semi-leached soil. Furthermore, this study SRS to bioarchaeology, providing a new technical approach for studying the preservation status of human bones unearthed in archaeological excavations. This development holds significant positive implications for the scientific analysis of human bones in archaeology.