Chromatography and Archaeological Materials Analysis

Abstract

Chromatography is an essential tool for the study of archaeological materials. Organic materials recovered in archaeological contexts are composed of a mixture of molecules. Chromatographic analysis makes it possible to separate and identify these molecules, especially if coupled to mass spectrometry. The method has proven to be a fundamental research technique in several areas of archaeology. Its application has improved our understanding regarding the origins of organic materials including resin, pitch, and copal. It has helped the investigation of ancient food practices; the use and function of ceramic vessels; and the consumption of alcoholic beverages and drugs. Chromatography has been used successfully to test the chemical residues preserved in archaeological floors, yielding insights about the use, function, and spatial organization of rooms and structures. In conservation studies, it has also been applied to understand the substances used in the making of artifacts and the degradation processes of ancient materials such as wood. It has helped to detect forgeries of amber or stone when organic substances are used.

Studying Daub

“…Once the macrovisual study of the pieces has been carried out, a series of samples can be selected for later microscopical or compositional analysis to be carried out by specialists. The characteristics of the samples and the procedure to obtain them can be different depending on what is required by the technique that needs to be applied, whether it is the methodology for micromorphology (e.g., Mateu Sagués 2011) or chromatography (e.g., Pecci 2018), for instance. Diverse analytical techniques can be useful to deepen the knowledge of these earthen materials: composition can be determined through micromorphology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), or X-ray diffraction (XRD).…”