Kelly Knudson preparing samples in the Laboratory for Archaeological Chemistry

The laboratory is also a center of training in archaeometric research. The staff regularly offers a lecture and lab course on archaeological chemistry. Students and professionals from universities around the world spend weeks and months in the lab learning theory and methods. Visitors from Denmark, Germany, India, Norway, Pakistan, China, Spain, Switzerland and elsewhere have learned principles and procedures of archaeological chemistry in the lab. 

Research in the laboratory usually involves the study of the composition and source of different kinds of materials to answer archaeological questions about past human behavior. The lab methods involve the trace element and isotopic analyses of bones, stone, ceramics, and sediments and have expanded to include organic residues, lithics, pigments, and other materials. Research questions include past diet, human migration, raw material sources, interaction and trade, and the identification of activity areas on prehistoric sites. 

A brief history of archaeological chemistry is provided in order to give a sense 

In order to provide a sense of how archaeological chemistry works, we discuss the kinds of laboratories and equipment that are involved in such investigations. There are laboratories all over the world conducting studies of the remains of the past. Finally, we describe our own Laboratory for Archaeological Chemistry to provide an idea about how labs are set up and operate. 

Brothwell, D.R., and A.M. Pollard (eds.). 2001. Handbook of Archaeological Science. London Wiley/Blackwell. 

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Fig. 1.10 Kelly Knudson preparing samples in the Laboratory for Archaeological Chemistry...

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