Described are intervertebral spinal implants that include a biocompatible load bearing composite comprised of a particulate mineral material and collagen and having a wet compressive strength of at least about 200 N/cm2. The composite provides a load bearing body sized and shaped for insertion between adjacent vertebrae in a patient. The load bearing body has upper and lower surfaces configured to frictionally engage the adjacent vertebra. Also described are related methods of making and using the spinal implants, and other bone implants comprising the strong composites made available in the present invention.
