A method for the preparation of bone gel and bone putty which comprises producing a viscous supernatant by dissolving demineralized bone matrix in water or a solution comprising water and at least one component normally found in human blood serum, at a temperature above about 25.degree. C. Agitation and/or ultrasound or pressure accelerates dissolution of the demineralized bone. The resulting viscous supernatant is cooled, then mixed with demineralized or non-demineralized bone matrix particles to form a gel-like suspension or putty-like material.