Symposium on Residue Analysis

	Fall/Winter 01

	Ceramics Research Group Symposium on Residue Analysis Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify organics in a vessel by Marilyn Beaudry-Corbett David Carballo obtaining data on fatty acids in ceramics from the Gas Chomatograh-Mass Spectrometer at UCSB During the Spring quarter the Ceramics Research Group held a two-way event examining the use of residue analysis. When organics with lipids (digestible fatty acids that occur in plant and animal tissue) come into contact with a porous inorganic such as pottery, the lipids leave a residue. The objective of the residue analysis is to identify the lipids that are characteristic of broad food classes or, if possible, of more species-specific categories. Archaeologically, the goal is to determine what organics were stored, processed, or cooked in a vessel. That information can then be related to diet and cooking practices, trade, and other topics. On the first day, the principles, methods, and instrumentation were presented. The second day, the group met with Professor Stuart Smith—who is currently performing residue analysis on pottery from Askut, Egypt—at UC Santa Barbara. The group visited the lab where specimens are prepared for chemical analysis and learned the steps required to prevent contamination. The group then observed samples being injected into the GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) equipment and examined the computer readout of some of the data. Discussion of sampling in the field, handling of sherds, and preparing a reference collection for comparative purposes followed. The technique will soon be used in investigations by UCLA-affiliated archaeologists in both Old World and New World projects. Marilyn Beaudry-Corbett is the Director of Publications at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology.Backdirteditors can be reached by email at ioapubs@ucla.edu.