Mass spectrometric analysis of ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize

Healy, Paul F.; Doran, Michael C.; Georg, R. Bastian; March, Raymond E.

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.02.028

Cited by 2 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Relatively little recent information concerning ICP‐MS analysis of jade‐like materials is available with which the results shown in Table S2 (supporting information) can be compared. Perhaps the most informative comparison can be made of the results in Table S2 with those of Table in Foshag and Leslie shown in Table of Healy et al The oxide components in samples I, II, and III from Mesoamerica are remarkably constant in chemical composition and in abundance; the major components of Na 2 O, Al 2 O 3 , and SiO 2 were found in the ratio 1:2:5. The Burma sample exhibits slightly higher fractions for these major components.…”

Section: Mass Spectrometry Analysismentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The early mass scans of Pacbitun greenstone Specimen A obtained using the SolariX XR showed a variety of positively charged ions in the range m/z 800–1400. Information about some of these early mass scans appeared in the first report of the use of MALDI combined with a high mass resolution mass spectrometer for the analysis of jadeite‐like material. The nature of a MALDI source differs substantially from that of laser ablation in that matrix accumulation of laser energy by photon absorption brings about (in an incompletely understood process) the transfer of more energy to the sample grit than is possible with direct laser ablation.…”

Section: Compatibility Of Jade For Mass Spectrometric Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first report of the use of MALDI combined with a high mass resolution mass spectrometer for the analysis of jadeite‐like material was published in early 2018 in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports . The principal novelty of this publication was the observation of polyatomic gaseous ions from jade samples using a MALDI source.…”

Section: Mass Spectrometry Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the array of funerary offerings and ceramic vessels was a matching pair of drilled and decorated greenstone ornaments, possibly pendant earrings. This pair of beautifully carved, greenstone objects found in Pacbitun was the focus of our earlier study . The primary research question was, “could mass spectrometry be an effective method for identifying, with precision, the chemical composition of the raw (geological) material employed by the ancient Maya for the Pacbitun greenstone specimens?”…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A, photograph of greenstone specimens from Pacbitun, Belize (courtesy of K. Dougherty); B, British Columbia jade; specimen KMM. From Healy et al…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An inductively coupled plasma study and an ion cyclotron resonance matrix‐assisted laser/desorption study at high mass resolution of two ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize, and two decorative jade specimens

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2020

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Rationale Two Early Classic period (ca 250–600 CE) Maya carved, greenstone jade pendants, Specimens A and B, were recovered from the Pacbitun site in Belize in 1987. Mass scans of resolution ~600,000 were obtained for the jade pendants and two British Columbia jade ornaments. Methods Polyatomic ions from jade grit have been observed using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR‐MS), specifically the Bruker Daltonics, SolariX XR, combined with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI); the matrix material was α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamicacid. Results Presented here is an interpretation of the mass spectrometric observations from multiplicities of silicate materials. Observation of novel polyatomic ion species of m/z 800–1400 indicate the ejection of charged ensembles composed of 60–180 atoms from jade grit. The charged ensembles represent minute regions of jade grit that have retained many of the spatial relationships of atoms within the jade; the required ejection energy is provided by laser photons accumulated in the matrix. Acid solutions of grit from Specimens A and ornament KMM were analyzed by inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The novelty of this application of mass spectrometry to jade was reported in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Conclusions Isotopic fine structure analysis can yield elemental compositions for ions composed of base isotopes together with stable isotope intensities arising from ions with one and two additional neutrons. The analysis is challenging as jade is a multiplicity of similar solid solutions; thus, a multiple isotopic fine structure approach has been explored. Attempts to compose ensembles of atoms, of those elements found normally in coloured silicates, to match the observed ion mass/charge ratios were unsuccessful without the addition of multiple hydrogen atoms. The production of polyatomic ions of siliceous material may permit impinging fine glass coatings onto construction materials for protection against fire and weather.

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Section: Mass Spectrometry Analysismentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Compatibility Of Jade For Mass Spectrometric Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mass Spectrometry Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A, photograph of greenstone specimens from Pacbitun, Belize (courtesy of K. Dougherty); B, British Columbia jade; specimen KMM. From Healy et al…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

An inductively coupled plasma study and an ion cyclotron resonance matrix‐assisted laser/desorption study at high mass resolution of two ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize, and two decorative jade specimens

March

2020

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Collisional experiences with Dr. Pietro Traldi and the incredible group in Padova

March

2021

Mass Spectrometry Reviews

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Two Early Classic period (ca. 250-600 CE) Maya carved, greenstone jade pendants, Specimens A and B, were recovered from the Pacbitun site in Belize in 1987. The specimens were visually similar and may have been cut from a common jade piece. Mass spectrometry was considered as a technique that could possibly be used to explore the similarity of the specimens. However, at that time, neither electrospray ionization nor matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) had been discovered; furthermore, only elemental analysis had been carried out with jade samples and there were no accounts of polyatomic ions being produced from jade. The discoverer of the greenstone jade pendants, a faculty member in Anthropology at Trent University, sought the assistance of the author of this piece but no immediate progress was accomplished. About 7 years after discovery of the greenstone jade pendants, this author was invited to spend a short sabbatical leave in the laboratory of Dr. Pietro Traldi in Padova, Italy. While this invitation was attractive for several reasons, the principal attraction was Dr. Traldi's new, and mysterious acquisition of MALDI instrumentation. There was, perhaps, a single iota of reason that appeared to suggest unusual assistance of a matrix in liberating polyatomic ions from jade using laser irradiation. This account is of a very interesting sojourn with Dr. Traldi and members of his laboratory which did not lead to any immediate understanding of MALDI; however, the belief was constant for the next 20 years after which some progress was made in the exploration of the structure of jade.inductively-coupled plasma, ion cyclotron resonance, isotopic fine structure, jade mass spectra, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization | INTRODUCTIONThe COVID-19 pandemic which is ravaging the world at this time necessitates changes in our daily habits, the wearing of protective masks, and physical separation from everyone outside one's circle. It is a time of sadness, loneliness, and despair. Yet even so, there is such an enormous change in our responsibilities, work, sports, and social activities that, suddenly, there is time on our hands. In the isolation, in the tiny circle, there is time and space. What is one to do? Eventually, I decided to pursue the following three activities: organize regular contacts with my family, promote the replacement of local land-fill sites with an Energy from Waste facility,

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Mass spectrometric analysis of ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

An inductively coupled plasma study and an ion cyclotron resonance matrix‐assisted laser/desorption study at high mass resolution of two ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize, and two decorative jade specimens

An inductively coupled plasma study and an ion cyclotron resonance matrix‐assisted laser/desorption study at high mass resolution of two ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize, and two decorative jade specimens

Collisional experiences with Dr. Pietro Traldi and the incredible group in Padova

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