The taphonomic analysis of surface modifications on bones is crucial for reconstructing the past, but it can be influenced by various trephic processes, including cleaning interventions. Mechanical cleaning is one of the most common types, and automatic tools are often used for highly concreted materials. In this study, the modifications resulting from the cleaning of concreted archaeological bone material using an air scribe were characterized. First, an experiment was conducted in which the air scribe was applied directly to the bone surface at different angles, and the modifications were documented. As a result, three categories of modifications were identified: pits, fine grooves, and wide grooves. Subsequently, two sets of archaeological samples with concretions of different characteristics were cleaned, and the observed modifications were related to those obtained in the experimental phase. Variables influencing the appearance of these modifications were also analysed based on the site's characteristics and the concretion surrounding the bone. Once the modifications resulting from cleaning were characterized, they were compared to taphonomic surface modifications on the bone to determine if they could influence taphonomic studies, thereby avoiding potential confusion between them. This work allowed for the identification of the specific effects of this type of mechanical cleaning tool and the prevention of issues of equifinality in subsequent taphonomic studies.

骨骼表面修饰的埋藏学分析对于重建过去至关重要，但它可能受到各种钻探过程的影响，包括清洁干预。机械清洁是最常见的类型之一，自动工具通常用于高度混凝土的材料。在这项研究中，对使用空气划线器清洁混凝土考古骨材料所产生的修改进行了表征。首先，进行了一项实验，其中将空气划线器以不同角度直接应用于骨表面，并记录修改情况。结果，确定了三类修饰：凹坑、细槽和宽槽。随后，对两组具有不同特性的结核的考古样品进行了清理，观察到的变化与实验阶段获得的变化相关。还根据部位特征和骨骼周围的结核对影响这些修饰外观的变量进行了分析。一旦清洁产生的修饰被表征，它们就会与骨头上的埋藏表面修饰进行比较，以确定它们是否会影响埋藏研究，从而避免它们之间潜在的混淆。这项工作可以确定这种类型的机械清洁工具的具体效果，并防止随后的埋藏学研究中出现等同性问题。