Chemistry in the service of archaeology: Just what does that mean?

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2023

Department/School

Chemistry

Publication Title

Chemistry in the Service of Archaeology

Abstract

Chemistry has been a significant part of understanding the composition, age, and origin of ancient materials almost as long as it has been its own scientific discipline. Many of the best-known chemists in the history of science dabbled at one point or another in some type of analysis to learn about the technologies employed in antiquity. Since the days of gravimetric analyses requiring the digestion of entire coins, analytical chemistry has progressed, with ever more powerful methods allowing us to peer into the past though the very molecules left behind. The applications of chemical analysis to ancient materials have been variously termed archaeometry, archaeological science, and heritage science depending on the questions being asked and the approaches used. Most archaeological science –including chemistry– research in general is happening outside of North America, where crossing disciplinary boundaries between anthropology and chemistry is more common and more readily accomplished as a consequence of higher levels of funding. How is analytical chemistry serving the archaeological community now? In an environment where interdisciplinary research is expected and encouraged, how can the self-inflicted barriers between science and the humanities be broken down to build a better future for archaeological science to flourish in the United States as it does elsewhere? This chapter provides an overview of how analytical chemistry is influencing how we view the human past and may even inform how future changes will impact culture and humanity as well.

Comments

R. A. Armitage is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Chemistry.

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