This book delineates the contours of molecular and structural archaeology as an emergent interdisciplinary field based on structural analysis at the molecular level and examines novel methodologies to reconstruct the synthesis and long-term transformation of materials used in antiquity. The focus of this volume is on cosmetic and therapeutic materials.

Inhalt

Preface. Inventing a science of make-up; P. Walter. Etruscan gold dental appliances; M.J. Becker. Preparation and use of perfumes and perfumed substances in ancient Egypt; M. El-Shimy. Analysis of different materials used in ancient Egypt; N. Iskander, et al. Pigments in artwork, cosmetics and archaeology: the role of Raman microscopy in their identification; R.J.H. Clark. A multidisciplinary approach to pigment analysis: king's yellow and dragon's blood from the Windsor and Newton pigment box at the Victoria and Albert Museum; L. Burgio, et al. Multispectra spectroscopy through tunable multispectral reflectoscopy 200 nm and 3500 nm; Y. Chrysoulakis, et al. Spectroscopic techniques for the investigation of Sicilian cultural heritage: two different applications; S. Galli, et al. A non-destructive analysis by neutron diffraction inside make-up containers in ancient Egypt; P. Martinetto, et al. Unveiling the structure of ancient lead pigments. Example of 'lead white'; P. Martinetto, et al. Mössbauer spectra of two ancient ceramic products from Moldova; S. Turta, et al. Chemical reactivity of molecular systems in media organized at the molecular scale; Ch. Amatore. Is supramolecular organisation a key factor for long term preservation? G. Tsoucaris, et al. Asru: an Egyptian temple chantress: modern spectrometric studies as part of the Manchester Egyptian Mummy Research Project; A.R. David, V. Garner. Metal threads in historical textiles; M. Jaro. New, synchrotron-based imaging techniques and archaeology; J. Doucet. The use of focused X-ray beams for non-destructive characterization of historical materials; K.H. Jansen, et al. Advances in art and archaeology using X-ray synchrotron radiation; E.Dooryhee. Microstructure determined by X-ray diffraction peak profile analysis: a fingerprint in archaeology; T. Ungár, et al. SR-based molecular speciation of archaeomaterials; E. Pantos, et al. Recent achievement and perspectives in synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption spectroscopy; J. Purans, et al. The emergence of pathogenic bacteria and their impact on human civilization: the case of plague bacillus Yersinia pestis; T. Stepkowski, A.B. Lekocki. Supramolecular chemistry, chirality and archaeology; J. Lipkowski, M. Asztemborska. Invisible in archaeological ceramics: research problems; A. Buko. Molecular characterisation of materials: a new challenge for analytical chemistry; J.P. Mohen.