Archaeochemists

Archaeochemists are scientists who apply chemical analyses to archaeological materials to understand past human lifeways. The field, also called archaeometry or chemical archaeology, integrates analytical chemistry, geology, and materials science with archaeology.

Key aims include identifying raw materials and production processes, reconstructing diets and food processing, tracing trade and exchange networks, and characterizing environmental contexts.

Methods and materials include residue analysis of pottery and artifacts using chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify lipids and other organics; stable isotope analyses on bones and teeth for diet and mobility; isotope provenance studies using strontium and lead; and elemental analyses with X-ray fluorescence or inductively coupled plasma techniques.

Applications extend from understanding craft technology and resource procurement to mapping long-distance connections and cultural contacts across landscapes and oceans.

Challenges involve diagenesis and contamination, preservation biases, limited reference data, and the need for careful interpretation within archaeological contexts. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential.

Archaeochemists contribute to broader questions about ancient economies, diets, technologies, and environments, and the field continues to expand alongside advances in analytical instrumentation.