Development of resonant laser mass spectrometry for organic trace analysis in archaeometry

在国家科学基金会的支持下，Mattanjah de弗里斯博士和Stuart Tyson-Smith博士及其研究生将开发一种用于考古学的有机示踪分子分析技术。他们的新方法是基于一种特殊形式的激光质谱或LMS。在考古学中常规使用的强大的分析化学技术的巨大武库中，大多数特别适合元素分析。另一方面，分析考古样品中的有机化合物更具挑战性，通常需要多种技术的结合，并且往往产生不太具体的鉴定。LMS技术将通过将共振激光光谱的选择性与质谱的灵敏度相结合来解决这些问题。因此，LMS同时具有高度特异性和灵敏度。在考古样品中检测和鉴定有机化合物的能力是非常需要的，因为许多类型的样品可以基于其有机分子组成来唯一地表征。例如，陶器中的食物残留物，可以让我们一瞥人们吃了什么或喝了什么，树脂，揭示了用于熏香的材料，或者染料，我们可以从中了解古代着色和制造技术的细节，以及材料来源和贸易路线。这个项目是跨学科的，因为UCSB化学和生物化学系的de弗里斯博士小组正在与同一所大学人类学系的Tyson-Smith博士小组合作。在这个试点研究的主要目标是优化技术，开发一个目录的示踪剂化合物考古用途，并与研究人员在该领域的工作，以促进进一步的实际发展的应用程序的技术。最先进的物理化学技术与人类学和考古学相关主题的独特结合特别适合教育项目。除了培训研究生和研究生外，这项研究还将涉及本科生和高中生，在UCSB赞助的少数民族学生和高中外展计划的框架内。在另一项合作中，学生们将参加杰克逊州立大学，一所历史悠久的黑人大学。这项研究的材料也将与湾区博物馆学校在线科学学习合作实验室试点项目共享。从更广泛的意义上说，能够描述以前无法进行此类分析的古代材料的特征，将为我们的历史和文化打开新的窗口。

With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Mattanjah de Vries and Dr. Stuart Tyson-Smith and their graduate students will develop a technique for organic tracer molecule analysis for archaeometry. Their novel approach is based on a specialized form of laser mass spectrometry or LMS. In the vast arsenal of powerful analytical chemical techniques that are routinely used in archaeometry, the majority is particularly suited to elemental analysis. On the other hand, analysis of organic compounds in archeological samples is more challenging, generally requiring combinations of techniques and often yielding less specific identifications. The LMS technique will address these problems by combining the selectivity of resonant laser spectroscopy with the sensitivity of mass spectrometry. As a result LMS is simultaneously highly specific and sensitive. The ability to detect and identify organic compounds in archeological samples is highly desirable because many types of samples can be uniquely characterized based on their organic molecular composition. Examples include food residues in pottery, affording a glimpse into what people ate or drank, resins, revealing materials used for incense, or dyes from which we can learn details on ancient coloring and manufacturing techniques as well as sources of materials and their trade routes. This project is interdisciplinary in nature, as the group of Dr. de Vries in the Department of Chemistry and biochemistry at UCSB is teaming up with the group of Dr. Tyson-Smith in the Department of Anthropology at the same university. The primary goals in this pilot study are to optimize the technique, to develop a catalogue of tracer compounds for archaeometric use, and to work with researchers in the field to facilitate further practical development of applications of the technique. The unique combination of state of the art physical chemistry techniques with topics related to anthropology and archaeology is particularly suitable for educational projects. In addition to training graduate and postgraduate students, the research will involve undergraduate students as well as high school students, in the framework of UCSB sponsored outreach programs to minority students and high schools. In an additional collaboration students will participate from Jackson State University, a historically black college. Material from this research will also be shared with the Bay Area Museum-School Online Science Learning Collaboratory Pilot Project. In a broader sense, the ability to characterize ancient materials that were previously inaccessible to such analysis will open new windows to insights in our history and culture.