Arqueología Iberoamericana (Nov 2023)

CHARACTERIZATION AND DATING OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATED HUMAN BONE FROM JORDAN BY HIGH-RESOLUTION 31P AND 14C NMR AND FOURIER TRANSFORMATION INFRARED

  • Wassef Al Sekhaneh,
  • Holger A. Scheidt,
  • Anja Penk,
  • Daniel Huster

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52
pp. 144 – 152

Abstract

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Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SS-NMR) and Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transformation Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy have excellent measurement performance for both organic and inorganic parts of bone or dental dentin. Solid-State Magic-Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SS-MAS-NMR) spectroscopy is an effective and constructive method for classifying samples, whether they are new or old. The objectives of this study include finding a new method for dating bone by SS-MAS-NMR and ATR-FTIR studies of old bone, supported by absolute dating of radioactive carbon isotopes. The specific objectives can be addressed by measuring the decomposition factor of the organic fraction in ancient bones and dentin in modern teeth, which are most similar to bones in terms of chemical composition, to arrive at a new time formula for the dating method. Eight old samples and one fresh tooth sample were taken for comparison. The method studied will be established as a new tool for characterizing ancient bone samples and detecting hydroxyl in bone minerals by SS-MAS-NMR.

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