Micro‐Raman–Based Method for Nondestructive Human Archaeological Bone Detection

ABSTRACT Assessment of the degradation degree of archaeological bone samples constitutes a core foundation for studies in paleodemography, paleopathology, and taphonomy. Existing analytical methods are predominantly destructive, rendering them inapplicable to precious intact archaeological specimens or in situ analysis constrained by cultural relic conservation requirements. This study establishes a nondestructive in situ analytical method based on micro‐Raman spectroscopy, enabling simultaneous quantitative evaluation of the degradation extent of both collagen and hydroxyapatite in archaeological bone, which fully complies with the nondestructive requirements of cultural relic conservation. A calibration curve linking the hydroxyapatite ν₁ PO₄ 3− band at 960 cm −1 to the collagen CH 2 scissoring band at 1454 cm −1 was constructed with powdered HAp/collagen standards ( R 2 = 0.995, n = 6). The model was validated on heat‐ and acid‐degraded ovine femora that simulate archaeological diagenesis, furnishing reference thresholds for Shore‐A hardness, compressive strength and SEM‐derived porosity. Five preservation classes could thus be discriminated solely from the HAp/COL peak‐area ratio. Blind evaluation of six human ribs spanning the Neolithic to Ming dynasties ( n = 6, 3.8–7.4 wt% collagen) yielded preservation grades identical to those obtained by conventional assays while consuming < 0.1 mg of material for SEM corroboration. The 50 × 50‐μm MRS raster is portable, can be executed through glass in museum storage or in the field, and offers conservators a quantitative, truly noninvasive trigger for preventive treatment.