The use of FT-IR as a screening technique for organic residue analysis of archaeological samples

Application of various spectroscopic techniques to characterize the archaeological pottery excavated from Manaveli, Puducherry, India

“…Since the spectrum of the clay sample shows this band at 687 cm −1 it is clear that this clay contains quartz of thick particle size [3]. The weak band observed at 2926 cm −1 (CH) is along with the weak band at 2853 cm −1 , probably originated from organic residues [9]. The band around at 1030 cm −1 is assigned to Si O stretching mode of silicates/clays.…”

FT-IR spectroscopic study of terra-cotta sarcophagi recently excavated in Ainos (Enez) Turkey

“…The weak bands at 2983 cm À1 , 2875 cm À1 , 2598 cm À1 , 2513 cm À1 , and 1797 cm À1 could also be attributable to calcite overtone/combination bands [18]. On the other hand, the weak bands observed at 2957, 2926, 2853 cm À1 (mCH), together with the weak band at and 1731 cm À1 (mC@O), probably originate from organic residues [18]. EDXRF analysis of the white decorated part of CK-M23 revealed the presence of abundant Ca, and moderate amounts of Si, Al and Fe.…”

“…3d and e. The spectrum is dominated with calcite bands (1429-1425 cm À1 , 874 cm À1 , 848 cm À1 , 712 cm À1 ) [16,17]. The weak bands at 2983 cm À1 , 2875 cm À1 , 2598 cm À1 , 2513 cm À1 , and 1797 cm À1 could also be attributable to calcite overtone/combination bands [18]. On the other hand, the weak bands observed at 2957, 2926, 2853 cm À1 (mCH), together with the weak band at and 1731 cm À1 (mC@O), probably originate from organic residues [18].…”

Comment on: Fruit and seed biomineralization and its effect on preservation by E. Messager et al.; in: Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (2010) 2:25–34. DOI 10.1007/s12520-010-0024-1

“…The authors suggest that naturally occurring biomineralisation and replacement mineralisation of organic remains (which occurs under specific postdepositional conditions), occurs in the same sample of Buglossoides, based on a weak doublet around 560/605 cm −1 . Whilst this peak does relate to the presence of phosphate, the incredibly weak nature of this means that further SEM-EDX should be used to support the presence of phosphorus in this case (Shillito et al 2009b). This is the only sample where the authors have not included this data.…”