Archaeologists have a new way to unlock the secrets of ancient burned bones

Ancient bones, burned beyond repair, have been given new life to tell their stories, thanks to beams of neutrons.

Using new techniques to analyze molecules in bones, scientists have narrowed down the temperatures used to burn skeletal remains that are as much as 8,000 years old — shedding light on long-ago funeral and cooking practices as well as advancing modern forensic science.

The Los Angeles Times