Examination of prehistoric artifacts via fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) techniques using modern environmental stewardship

Koirala, Bikul; Rosentreter, Jeffrey J.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2009.01.012

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…These values are similar to those of Kedrowski et al. () and very close to those of Koirela and Rosentreter (), but far from Eerkens et al. (), who worked on highly degraded samples (Table ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Butchering Site Evolution Induced by Past and Recent Snowmelt Runoff: The Saunitarlik Site (JiEv‐15), Aivirtuuq Peninsula, Nunavik, Canada

2016

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A geoarchaeological study of a unique Inuit site in Nunavik was undertaken in order to document the impact of humans on the Arctic environment. The Saunitarlik archaeological site is located on the Aivirtuuq peninsula near Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik), and it was used as a butchering site by Inuit in the 19th century. It consists of an open‐air midden containing thousands of bones lying in the bed of an intermittent stream. This study documents the transformation of soil at the Saunitarlik site as a result of butchering activities by comparing them with extra‐site soils. Chronostratigraphic and sedimentological analyses of extra‐site sections show a succession of facies associated with: (1) till reworked by the sea, (2) regressive shoreline deposits, (3) surface runoff deposits, and (4) eolian deposits. Surface runoff deposits that dominate the peninsula were linked to regional climatic variations. Micromorphology analyses of intra‐ and extra‐site sediments revealed that periglacial and surface runoff were the main factors influencing site evolution. The intra‐site sections are characterized by the presence of dark, greasy, and sandy organic matter layers. Chemical analysis of these layers using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC−MS) indicated the presence of well‐preserved animal fatty acids in the sediments.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Butchering Site Evolution Induced by Past and Recent Snowmelt Runoff: The Saunitarlik Site (JiEv‐15), Aivirtuuq Peninsula, Nunavik, Canada

2016

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“…This field of study has existed for over a quarter of a century, and in the last decade has seen an explosion of publications using a multitude of techniques: microscopic, chemical, immunological, and others (e.g., Hardy and Moncel, 2011;Lombard and Wadley, 2007;Lombard, 2008;Koirala and Rosentreter, 2009;Reuther et al, 2006;Heaton et al, 2009;Seeman et al, 2008;Evershed, 2008). Use-wear studies are sometimes performed alongside residue studies, since both rely on microscopic examination of stone tools, and these multiple lines of evidence are said to improve the reliability of results (Hardy and Garufi, 1998;Hardy et al, 2001;Rots and Williamson, 2004;Lombard, 2005;Hogberg et al, 2009;Dinnis et al, 2009;Rots et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Swept under the rug: the problem of unacknowledged ambiguity in lithic residue identification

Monnier

Ladwig

Porter

2012

Journal of Archaeological Science

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“…The entire solution was mixed using a vortex mixer for 30 s and consequently centrifuged at 3000 x g for 3 minutes. The top hexane layer was taken for analysis by GC-MS [5].…”

Section: Sample Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solvent selection for fatty acid residue analysis of archeologicial artifacts

Rosentreter¹,

Malamakal²,

Barnes³

et al. 2017

Sample Preparation

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Residue analysis has rapidly become one of the most useful techniques for determining an artifact function and revealing insight into paleodiets. The success of analytical residue analysis often lies with the first preparatory step, where the residue is extracted from the object. Detection of a residue requires effective solvation of the material, and there is a large range of potential solvents. One purpose of this study is to determine the efficiency of various solvents for the extraction of fatty acids from charcoal, a material that is ubiquitous, easily identified, remarkably stable in the archaeological record but, most importantly for this research, retains fats extremely well. This investigation examines the removal efficiency of model fatty acids from carbonized wood samples. The strong affinity of lipids to charcoal makes carbonized wood ideal for retaining them, but also makes their extraction extremely challenging and thus an ideal benchmark for solvent extraction characterization. Several solvents (benzene, chloroform, hexane, methanol and water) are used to determine the quantitative extraction efficiency of tripalmitin. While benzene and chloroform perform best for some wood types, neither solvent is better for all carbonized wood. Correlations between the chemical properties of the solvents and the effectiveness of the extraction provide guidance for solvents. Findings indicate solvent characteristics including dipole moment, dielectric constant, hydrogen bonding, and molecular weight all play an important role in extraction of fat from a charcoal matrix. Results presented should provide guidelines to allow for more effective residue extration and more accurate lipid analysis.

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Examination of prehistoric artifacts via fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) techniques using modern environmental stewardship

Cited by 15 publications

References 35 publications

Butchering Site Evolution Induced by Past and Recent Snowmelt Runoff: The Saunitarlik Site (JiEv‐15), Aivirtuuq Peninsula, Nunavik, Canada

Butchering Site Evolution Induced by Past and Recent Snowmelt Runoff: The Saunitarlik Site (JiEv‐15), Aivirtuuq Peninsula, Nunavik, Canada

Swept under the rug: the problem of unacknowledged ambiguity in lithic residue identification

Solvent selection for fatty acid residue analysis of archeologicial artifacts

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