10350
Accession Number
5397
Author
Tuross, Noreen; Dillehay, Tom D.
Author Affiliation
Smithsonian Institution
Title Of Article Chaper
The mechanism of organic preservation at Monte Verde, Chile, and one use of biomolecules in archaeological interpretation
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of field archaeology
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
97-110
ISSN
0093-4690
Language Of Text
English
Language Of Summary
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Monte Verde, a habitation site in southern Chile, is the source of exceptionally well-preserved organic materials. The depositional and chemical circumstances that led to the persistence of this unique assemblage included an anoxic, reducing environment protected by an overlying peat layer and a silica gel-rich substrate. Utilizing the immunological techniques of ELISA assays and Western blots, a subset of lithic artifacts was tested for blood traces. Geochemical analysis of the soil matrix provided the necessary comparative data for assessing the biological etiology of the residue extracted from these tools. One tool was found to be positive for hemoglobin, and was convincingly above both the chemical and geological background of the immunological assays. These findings complement the archaeological interpretation of the site.
Keywords
blood; Chile (Monte Verde); organic materials; soil
pub_id
10350