4607
Accession Number
31347
Title Of Article Chaper
Mixed results of seven methods for organic residue analysis applied to one vessel with the residue of a known foodstuff
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of Archaeological Science
Volume
34
Pages
28-37
Collation
10 p. : ills.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographic references
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Several methods of archaeological organic residue analysis were applied to a single unglazed and unseasoned ceramic vessel that had absorbed residues of heated camel milk. Sections of the wall of this vessel were sent to eleven archaeological laboratories. Seven reported their results before the identity of the residue was revealed, during the 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. Methods included stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis, protein analysis and lipid analysis. These laboratory techniques provide a biochemical analysis of the residue in a ceramic matrix, the archaeological interpretation of which can be rather difficult. The exact source of the residue was not identified by any laboratory, but it is evident that residue analysis can provide valuable information, especially when combined with additional archaeological and historical data. We therefore support a close cooperation of those working in this field to develop it to its full potential.
Keywords
carbon;isotope;camel;milk;ceramic;analysis;diet;reconstruction;electrophoresis;fatty;acid;gas;chromatography;gc;lipid;ms;mass;spectrometry;nitrogen;protein;residue
pub_id
4607