Bones (3 types) of 2 periods and buried in 2 soil environments were analysed by XRF.
Chemical alteration is the main diagenetic process underwent by bone.
Thoracic bones were more affected than long or cranial ones, especially in the acidic soil.
Metal sorption and fine particles attachment were identified as secondary processes.
Lead was probably incorporated pre-mortem, showing higher contents in Roman skeletons.