Hi all. Me and hubby have been out on some exploring trips and we've come across several bones that are very dark. I want to say mineralized. They are not fossilized. Also I'm sure bovine in most cases, and maybe bison? Also, recently came across a deer skull cap and partial antlers.
The area we have found some of these pieces are in a creek in Grayson county Texas (Choctaw creek) that consist of heavy red clay, grey marl and sand. I don't know even where to start on dating non fossilized bones, other than the good ole' it's darker so older method. I can understand that simply it being exposed to heavy red clay that it may darken the bone considerably, but still the dating method eludes me.
Help?
Here are some examples I have.