Molecular and isotopic archaeology: Top grade tools to investigate organic archaeological materials

Abstract

Molecular and isotopic studies of archaeological organic remains, based on identification of biomarker, allow their characterisation. Using a rigorous fractionation scheme of organic extracts and mass spectrometric techniques (GC–MS, LC–MS, GC-C-IRMS), this is likely to provide information on the nature of substances, their production technique, their alteration state and, more generally, on their history. The results of the analysis from two series of samples are reported in this paper: dammar resins (Thailand, 4th B.C.–2nd B.C., pure materials) and an organic deposit on Osiris statuettes (Pharaonic Egypt, mixture of animal fat, bitumen, vegetal resin, beeswax).