Prescreening and Molecular Analysis of Samples

The project aims to make more informed sampling decisions, thereby limiting the unnecessary destructive sampling of precious heritage. FLOOD equips three methods to test collagen preservation and identify contamination: 

1. ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry) is a minimally invasive technique that is used to make taxonomic identifications on unidentifiable bones. On FLOOD the method is also used to explore sample suitability for radiocarbon dating, and to look for contamination of collagen-containing glues. ZooMS is done in collaboration with the University of York, BioArCh laboratory. 

2. ATR FT-IR (Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform - Infrared Spectroscopy) can also determine collagen preservation and detect the presence of contaminants commonly used during conservation practices. ATR FT-IR is done in collaboration with the Hanzehogeschool Groningen.

3. Py-GC/MS (Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) analysis allows us to explore the collagen sample at a molecular level. Using the technique we can identify the exact type of contamination present in a sample. This knowledge then allows us to apply better-informed pretreatment protocols, before radiocarbon dating.