Figure 23: Micrograph of sample CDU-15, viewed in polarized light. This is a Neolithic cattle tooth, the only sample to display clearly identifiable fungal tunnelling. Round, transparent fungal structures can be seen, as well as hyphae/tunnels penetrating into the dentine from the pulp cavity surface, appearing as the characteristic Wedl type tunnels (Hackett 1981; Marchiafava et al. 1974; Jans 2005). The hyphae/tunnels are clearly visible in polarized light as they are lined with a birefringent material, possibly calcite as this is a known precipitate on and in soil fungal structures (Burford et al. 2006). See also Figures 40, 41, 42 and 43.
Figure 23

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