[en] The use of glues for stone tool hafting is an important innovation in human evolution. Compared to other organic remains, glues are preserved more frequently, though mainly in small spots. Reliable identification requires chemical molecular characterization, which is traditionally performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Current methods of extraction and derivatization prior to GC-MS are destructive and require relatively large samples, which is problematic for prehistoric glue residues. In this paper, we discuss the results of an experimental study using a new method (HS-SPME-GC×GC-HRTOFMS) that proves effective for identifying small quantities of compound glues. The method is non-destructive with an improved sensitivity in comparison to traditional GC-MS, and it has a high potential for prehistoric samples.
Research center :
AAP - Art, Archéologie et Patrimoine - ULiège
Disciplines :
Archaeology
Author, co-author :
Cnuts, Dries ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences historiques > Archéologie préhistorique
Perrault, Katelynn ; Chaminade University of Honolulu > Forensic Sciences Unit
Stefanuto, Pierre-Hugues ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie analytique, organique et biologique
Dubois, Lena ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie analytique, organique et biologique
Focant, Jean-François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie analytique, organique et biologique
Rots, Veerle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences historiques > Archéologie préhistorique
Language :
English
Title :
Fingerprinting glues using HS-SPME GC×GC-HRTOFMS: a new powerful method allows tracking glues back in time
Publication date :
December 2018
Journal title :
Archaeometry
ISSN :
0003-813X
eISSN :
1475-4754
Publisher :
Wiley, Oxford, United Kingdom
Volume :
60
Issue :
6
Pages :
1361-1376
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
European Projects :
FP7 - 312283 - EVO-HAFT - Evolution of stone tool hafting in the Palaeolithic
Name of the research project :
Evohaft
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE] CE - Commission Européenne [BE]
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