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Ancient waterlogged ivory
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Underwater archaeological excavations at a shipwreck located in the port of Horta (Azores), uncovered a cargo of elephant ivory tusks, likely from a British merchant vessel that sank in the early 18th century. Since the ship’s route remains uncertain, determining the ivory’s provenance was essential for reconstructing its historical and commercial context. A multidisciplinary analytical approach combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis was employed. FTIR spectra displayed a typical dentin profile, with Infrared Splitting Factor values (3.45–3.58) indicating moderate diagenetic alteration but overall good preservation. XRF results reflected both biogenic composition and post-depositional effects, with copper absence in two samples possibly linked to biological variation. Molecular analysis identified an African origin for the ivory, probably obtained during a stopover at an African port, supporting the initial archaeological hypothesis. This study also highlighted that EDTA removal after samples decalcification improves DNA extraction efficiency.
Descrição
UID/04666/2025
https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/04666/2025
Palavras-chave
Conservation Chemistry (miscellaneous) Archaeology Materials Science (miscellaneous) Archaeology Spectroscopy Computer Science Applications