Contribution of microscopic plant anatomy to postmortem bone dating

The authors describe a microscopical method of studying plant anatomy for estimating the age of vegetal organs which can help to date bones. This procedure was not based on counting the number of annual rings, as usually, but on demonstrating a completely primary structure without development of secondary formations; this material was considered as a part of a young root system whose development would correspond to about one year. The usefulness and limits of this procedure are discussed.