Infrared Spectroscopy to Assess Manufacturing Procedures of Bone Artefacts from the Chalcolithic Settlement of Vila Nova de São Pedro (Portugal)
Source abstract
Abstract
Vibrational spectroscopy was applied to study cylindrical engraved bone boxes from the Chalcolithic settlement of Vila Nova de São Pedro (VNSP, Azambuja, Portugal) which has the largest and richest artefact assemblage of Copper Age Western Iberia. The objectives were to reconstitute manufacturing techniques, determine the role of pyrotechnology in the production of cylindrical engraved bone boxes and assess oxygen conditions during burning. Four fragments of cylindrical engraved bone “boxes” from VNSP were used in this research. Anaerobic experimental burn conditions were recreated by using a home-made steel airtight chamber under vacuum. Human bone fragments were burnt at 400–1000 °C for 120–211 min. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were performed on bone powder samples. The resulting spectra and chemometric indices were used as a reference to establish comparisons with the archaeological artefacts. None of these presented spectral features compatible with anaerobic burning. Therefore, aerobic burns were used to achieve the whitish look and were most probably used to attain the darker shade displayed by the artefacts. Artefact manufacturing appears to have relied on bone cutting, bone engraving and maybe polishing, followed by heat treatment. The population from VNSP appears to have been highly specialized in the use of fire to work different raw materials.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Archaeosciences Laboratory, Directorate General Cultural Heritage (LARC/CIBIO/InBIO), 1349-021 Lisbon, Portugal
Center for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Research Center for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
UNIARQ Centre for Archaeology, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon, Alameda da Universidade, 1600-214 Lisboa, Portugal
FCT/Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, 1249-074 Lisboa, Portugal
AAP/Association of Portuguese Archaeologists, Largo do Carmo, 1200-092 Lisboa, Portugal
Funding
Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
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