The Assessment of Bone Deterioration with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in a Multidisciplinary Context: The Case of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sedlec, Czechia

Human remains from the skeletal collection of the UNESCO world heritage site of Sedlec (Czechia) have been investigated with 1H, 31P and 13C magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The quantitative description of the component of the phosphorus signal attributed to the external amorphous hydrated layer of the mineral apatite particles is considered a sensitive index of the bone integrity, in general agreement with indicators of decay derived from other analytical techniques. Differences in proton and phosphorus resonances were related to deterioration effects, allowing for the identification of local conditions posing a threat to bone preservation.