Identification of archaeological adhesives using direct inlet electron ionization mass spectrometry

Analytical Chemistry
M Regert, Christian Rolando

Abstract

Adhesives made from natural substances such as resins, tars, and waxes are found during excavations on archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric periods. Until now, their analysis was mainly performed by gas chromatography, possibly coupled to mass spectrometry, after extraction, purification, and derivatization of the samples. To minimize sampling and sample preparation of ancient organic remains, which are often preserved in tiny amounts, we have directly analyzed archaeological samples from Bronze and Iron Age periods by direct inlet electron ionization mass spectrometry. A series of contemporary natural and synthetic substances, including pine and pistacia resins, birch bark tar, beeswax, and plant oils, possibly used for adhesive fabrication during ancient times, was also investigated with the same technique as reference materials. Despite the complexity of their chemical composition, pine resin and birch bark tar were clearly identified in archaeological samples. Furthermore, mass spectrometry has been shown to be efficient for the identification of glues made of a mixture of beeswax, presenting a series of mass spectral peaks assigned to long-chain esters, and birch bark tar, whose mass spectrum presents characteri...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 15, 2008·Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·Marek Trojanowicz
Oct 28, 2008·Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy·Lisa M ShillitoWendy Matthews
Oct 24, 2009·Analytica Chimica Acta·Jeannette J ŁucejkoJosé C del Río
Aug 26, 2016·Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·Cosima Damiana CalvanoLuigia Sabbatini
Feb 5, 2008·Journal of Chromatography. a·Erika RibechiniRichard P Evershed
Sep 1, 2004·Journal of Separation Science·Martine Regert
Jul 19, 2002·Journal of Mass Spectrometry : JMS
Mar 20, 2020·Journal of Archaeological Science, Reports·Rebecca J StaceyIan Bull
May 23, 2008·Analytical Chemistry·Caroline SolazzoCaroline Tokarski

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