Palaeometry: Non-destructive analysis of fossil materials

Resumen

Palaeometry involves
the combined use of different non-destructive analytical techniques
on the study of fossil and subfossil materials. This work reports
the results of the first Palaeometric analysis using Visible
Fluorescence Induced by the UV-Light and PIXE (Particle Induced
X-ray Emission spectrometry) applied on fossil samples from Tlayúa
quarry, Mexico (Tlayúa Formation, Early Cretaceous, Albian). This
paper provides a short discussion on the results implications for
the understanding of the fossilization process occurred on Tlayúa.
Also, results suggest the presence of characteristic fossil
fingerprints for the exceptional preservation of fossils for this
Konservat-Lagerstätte, determined by the contents of elements such
as Calcium, Phosphorus, Manganese, Iron and Arsenic.