Riddle's Bones

[Peggy]

No: HPFGUIDX 125387


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Miikka R." <ryokas at h...> wrote:
<snip>
> To be needlessly pedantic (after all, I *am* a member here), bones 
do
> not last that long in the usual enviroments. Dinosaur bones and the
> like only last any amount of damage if they mineralize (
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossils ) and human remains need to be
> specifically preserved ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummy ).
> 
> - Kizor

Peg:

You're in excellent company here-pedants all!  Just to prove that I 
fit the mold, too, I'll agree on one point and disagree with the 
other.

Fossil bones of any species have been replaced by minerals other than 
calcium carbonate--very true.

But.  Bones in general, and human bones in particular, don't require 
any special treatment to remain largely intact for many, many years.  
The bones of the Romanovs, among others, have been retrieved from 
burial sites much older than fifty years, with no particular efforts 
at preservation (or even respect).  Mummification was (and is) meant 
to preserve soft tissues.

All right, now I've probably overdone it . . .

Peg