FTIR and amino acid analysis were used to characterize five commonly used binding media found in ancient cultural relics. According to FTIR spectra, characteristic of protein based binders are the peaks around 1653cm-1 and 1545cm-1; peach gum has peaks around 1076cm-1 and 1043cm-1; casein shows peaks characteristic of both protein based binder and peach gum. Amino acid analysis of animal glue shows, uniquely, hydroxyproline and a high level of glycerine. Eggs have a higher content of aspartic acid and lower proline. And casein has a higher content of glutamic acid and alanine. It is conclude that based on their amino acid composition and their FTIR characteristics, commonly used ancient binding media can be differentiated and identified.