Chemistry as an Archaeological Tool

The hard science of chemistry continues to assist archaeologists in the laboratory as they try to put together the pieces of the past.

The Molecule Hunt
The Molecule Hunt is a literate and readable book by Martin Jones, explaining how archaeology has used and continues to use DNA.

Determining Geological Sources of Artifact Copper
This little book out of the University at Minnesota of Duluth's Archaeometry Laboratory describes in a step-by-step fashion the authors' 25-year-long study to attempt to identify the source of copper used by Native Americans to make tools and decorative items.

DNA Interactive
Pretty cool website with interactive modules and work areas on understanding how DNA works. Of special interest to the past are Macromedia modules on the Romanovs and Human Origins.

Neutron Activation
Neutron activation is a method used to quantify the chemical components in glass or pottery objects, to provide clues to where and how an object was manufactured. This page describing the methodology is from Jan Gunneweg.

The Great Molecule Hunt
A book review of the Molecule Hunt by Martin Jones, from your About.com Guide.

The Molecule Hunt
In his book The Molecule Hunt: Archaeology and the Search for Ancient DNA, Martin Jones explores the various ways in which archaeology is using DNA to discover a whole new universe of things unimaginable even 15 years ago.

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