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Ancient biodeterioration: an FT–Raman spectroscopic study of mammoth and elephant ivory

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Abstract

Raman spectra of mammoth ivory specimens have been recorded using near-infrared excitation, and comparisons made with modern Asian and African elephant ivories. Whereas the most ancient mammoth ivory (60–65 ky) showed no evidence for an organic collagen component, more recent samples of mammoth ivory indicated that some preservation had occurred, although with biodeterioration of the protein structure exhibited by the amide I and III bands in the 1200–1700 cm−1 region of the Raman spectrum. The consequent difficulties encountered when applying chemometrics methods to ancient ivory analysis (which are successful for modern specimens) are noted. In the most ancient mammoth ivory specimens, which are extensively fragmented, evidence of mineralization is seen, with the production of gypsum, calcite and limonite; Raman microscopic analysis of crystalline material inside the fissures of the mammoth ivory shows the presence of gypsum as well as cyanobacterial colonisation. The application of Raman spectroscopy to the nondestructive analysis of archaeological materials in order to gain information of relevance to their preservation or restoration is highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical and Forensic Sciences, The School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK

    Howell G. M. Edwards, Susana E. Jorge Villar & Nik F. Nik Hassan

  2. Area de Geodinamica Interna, Facultad de Humanidades y Educacion, Universidad de Burgos, Calle Villadiego S/N, 09001, Burgos, Spain

    Susana E. Jorge Villar

  3. Department of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Nlin Arya

  4. Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK

    Sonia O'Connor & Donna M. Charlton

Authors
  1. Howell G. M. Edwards
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  2. Susana E. Jorge Villar
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  3. Nik F. Nik Hassan
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  4. Nlin Arya
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  5. Sonia O'Connor
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  6. Donna M. Charlton
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Correspondence to Howell G. M. Edwards.

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Edwards, H.G.M., Jorge Villar, S.E., Nik Hassan, N.F. et al. Ancient biodeterioration: an FT–Raman spectroscopic study of mammoth and elephant ivory. Anal Bioanal Chem 383, 713–720 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-005-0011-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-005-0011-z

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