Chemical Methods in Archaeology

Abstract

Chemistry plays an important role in the study of archaeological materials. Chemistry has developed methods to date archaeological material. It has also allowed us to infer trade routes by studying ancient artifacts and also shed light on the technology used to make them. The diet and customs of ancient peoples have also been discovered by applying chemical methods. Chemistry also intervenes in the understanding of the mechanisms that cause archaeological material to degrade.The modern analytical methods available today have been used to study a wide range of archaeological inorganic, organic, and biological materials. A short overview of some of the most relevant achievements reached by applying chemical methods to archaeology is reported here.