Archaeology chemists’ contributions

The first volume of the series, that is Fluorine and the Environment Atmospheric Chemistry, Emissions Lithosphere covered a wide scope of important issues about our atmospheric environment. The contributions, written by chemists and environmental scientists, mostly dealt with the effects of fluorine-based gases and emissions either from natural or anthropogenic origin. The present volume deals with other topics concerned by Fluorine and the Environment, including Water, Agrochemicals, Green Chemistry, Analytical aspects and Archaeology. 

Differences in chemical compositions usually provide new information about artifacts. By differentiating between the sources of the raw materials used to produce objects, it is possible to infer cultural contacts. For some artifacts, detailed studies of compositional differences can also help us understand production methods. The remains of the humans themselves may also be analyzed to provide useful information. The contributions that chemists have made in the study of archaeological materials have gone far beyond the simple chemical analysis of the materials. This volume gives but a small part of the great contributions that chemists have made toward the understanding of ancient materials and technologies. 

Analytical chemists also make important contributions to fields as diverse as forensics, archaeology, and space science. 

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