Palaeocytology in skeletal remains: microscopic examination of putrefaction fluid deposits and dental calculus of skeletal remains from French archaeological sites

The relatively elusive nature of preserved human cells in fossilised tissues was recognised prior to the description of fossilised sickle cells by Maat ( 1991 ) and Maat & Baig ( 1991 ). Preserved neural cells were also noted in mummified brain tissues by Hauswirth et al . ( 1991 ) and Doran et al . ( 1986 ). Exceptional circumstances of preservation were used to explain these rare observations (Briggs & Kear, 1993 ). In this study, dental calculus and endocranial putrefaction fluid were rehydrated for 12 hours in 0.4 M acetic acid solution at room temperature, smear stained with May‐Grunwald‐Giemsa and examined using light microscopy. Remnants of leucocytes, epithelial cells and other cells are presented and discussed.