Analyses of organic residues in ceramic and glass vessels by peptide mass mapping

Abstract

One of the earliest applications of MALDI -TOF mass spectrometry on the identification of proteinaceous matters coming from archaeological findings is shown in this paper. Two pieces of organic residues were detected in ceramic vessels deposited in an inhumation burial from the 5th century AD (Vinařice Group, Migration Period) and in a cremation burial of the Bylany culture from the early Iron Age.

The collagenous proteins in both residues probably come from the meat that could be put into the graves as an offertory.

Keywords

• Analyses
• organic
• residues
• ceramic
• and
• glass
• vessels
• peptide
• mass
• mapping