Serious question: I have a human skeleton which is pieced together for display purposes. It looks very real and does not appear to be artificial. How can I test myself if it is a real or fake skeleton?

wendypj

I found this article on testing ivory which suggests you can use the same method for testing bone. It's called the 'hot pin test'. Since natural bone is resistant to heat it shouldn't melt but should give off certain aromas etc. I hope that this helps. You need to scroll ot the bottom of the article for the details on the testing procedure. http://www.asian-arts.net/oriental-treats/fake.htm Aug 22 06, 2:28 AM

dutch_frank_65

Thanks Wendypj, this looks like a good test! Since it is about ivory I'll start with a tooth. Gruesome thought to poke a hot needle in a tooth. I will let you know the results. Any other suggestion is also appreciated. Aug 22 06, 3:47 AM

Baloo55th

If the bones are brownish, it's probably real. The one and a half skeletons I got a group of cadets to put together were very brown. (Didn't tell them there was more than one set there. They found out, though. The adults had far more trouble and tried to get every bone in somehow! No Frankensteins in that group...) Artificial bones tend to be rather white. Aug 22 06, 10:21 AM

SOTHC

Take it to Battersea Dogs Home. If you leave with it intact then it is fake Aug 22 06, 1:47 PM

zbeckabee

Human bones (like animal bones) can be bleached. I would recommend that you contact someone who can actually perform some tests for you or someone who has expertise in this field. Aug 22 06, 4:16 PM

dutch_frank_65

Someone proposed to drop some hydrochloric acid on a bone. If it starts to bubble it is contains calcium. In that case the bone is real. Any thoughts? Aug 28 06, 5:25 AM

Baloo55th

Trouble with that trick is that not many people have hydrochloric acid in reach. (Funnily enough, I do. I've got 2 litres of concentrated HCl somewhere round here.) (Don't ask.) Aug 28 06, 2:23 PM