Organic residues in archaeology - the highs and lows of recent research

YesThe analysis of organic residues from archaeological materials has become increasingly important to our understanding of ancient diet, trade and technology. Residues from diverse contexts have been retrieved and analysed from the remains of food, medicine and cosmetics to hafting material on stone arrowheads, pitch and tar from shipwrecks, and ancient manure from soils. Research has brought many advances in our understanding of archaeological, organic residues over the past two decades. Some have enabled very specific and detailed interpretations of materials preserved in the archaeological record. However there are still areas where we know very little, like the mechanisms at work during the formation and preservation of residues, and areas where each advance produces more questions rather than answers, as in the identification of degraded fats. This chapter will discuss some of the significant achievements in the field over the past decade and the ongoing challenges for research in this area.Full text was made available in the Repository on 15th Oct 2015, at the end of the publisher's embargo period

A guide to ancient protein studies

Palaeoproteomics is an emerging neologism used to describe the application of mass spectrometry-based approaches to the study of ancient proteomes. As with palaeogenomics (the study of ancient DNA), it intersects evolutionary biology, archaeology and anthropology, with applications ranging from the phylogenetic reconstruction of extinct species to the investigation of past human diets and ancient diseases. However, there is no explicit consensus at present regarding standards for data reporting, data validation measures or the use of suitable contamination controls in ancient protein studies. Additionally, in contrast to the ancient DNA community, no consolidated guidelines have been proposed by which researchers, reviewers and editors can evaluate palaeoproteomics data, in part due to the novelty of the field. Here we present a series of precautions and standards for ancient protein research that can be implemented at each stage of analysis, from sample selection to data interpretation. These guidelines are not intended to impose a narrow or rigid list of authentication criteria, but rather to support good practices in the field and to ensure the generation of robust, reproducible results. As the field grows and methodologies change, so too will best practices. It is therefore essential that researchers continue to provide necessary details on how data were generated and authenticated so that the results can be independently and effectively evaluated. We hope that these proposed standards of practice will help to provide a firm foundation for the establishment of palaeoproteomics as a viable and powerful tool for archaeologists, anthropologists and evolutionary biologists

Challenge to molecular archaeology—Sediments contaminated by allochthonous animal proteins

In this work we proposed a novel methodological approach to detect and differentiate between cooked and uncooked animal meat protein in archaeological samples. We tested two groups of materials: ceramic dated to the early medieval period (9th–10th centuries CE) and soil samples collected from the same stratigraphic layer that yielded these pottery fragments. Using an ELISA immunological test designed to identify cooked pork, we found that pig proteins were present in the studied pottery specimens, but the surrounding soil contained only uncooked pig proteins. We interpret this observation in the sense that the ceramic vessels might be used for cooking pork meat in the historic times. Pig proteins identified in soil matrix are of different origin, however, and represent probably contamination from wild pigs’ manure, dropped in the area of the sampled archaeological site until the present day. This study suggests a new way of dealing with the complexities associated with research of biomolecules extracted from archaeological samples—particularly those related to the fact that typical study sites may contain a mixture of ancient raw and artificially processed proteins as well as original protein content plus secondarily introduced/contaminating proteins (and other types of biomolecules) of the same species

Lime-based restoration paints: characterization and evaluation of formulations using a native species from the Amazon flora and PVA-based glue as additives

Based on historic documents, two lime-based paint formulations were produced in laboratory in order to evaluate their basic characteristics as restoration materials for historic buildings with lime-based components. The paints were made basically with hydrated lime, clay, water and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) oil, and one formulation had PVA (polyvinyl acetate)-based glue as fixative, and the other one, Couma guianensis’ latex. Each paint component was characterized by XRD and FTIR, and color and specular gloss measurements were performed on both paints. A preliminary assessment of the paints was conducted using the Pipe Method, the salt crystallization test, visual analysis for dustiness, and analysis of microbiological growth. The results showed that the laboratory-produced paints are theoretically and technologically compatible with lime-based coatings, however, their superficial performance can be improved to achieve greater durability. This study also brings to light local materials from the Amazon region that have great potential to be used and recognized as raw materials for paints and which could also be investigated for other uses