Proteins extracted from both bones and teeth found in archaeological contexts are used for radiocarbon dating, amino acid racemization age-at-death determinations, and genetic and dietary studies. This article attempts to suggest which types of microorganisms are likely to be involved in this decomposition and outlines their characteristics. It also describes the use of bone and tooth with their associated soils from various archaeological contexts, as source material for the isolation of fungi and bacteria by enrichment culture at 10°C. Samples from various soil types and archaeological periods were included in the trial. The author identifies bacterial and fungal isolates that tested positive for a collagenase and outlines decomposition studies.