Hydrogen isotope ratios as a Larix detector in archaeological wood samples

Arosio, Tito; Nicolussi, Kurt; Oberhänsli, Monika; Leuenberger, Markus (2022). Hydrogen isotope ratios as a Larix detector in archaeological wood samples. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 41, p. 103261. Elsevier 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103261

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Identifying wood species in archaeological specimens is important for the evaluation of timber structures and the conservation of historic buildings. Microscopic wood anatomy is the most commonly used technique for species identification. However, its application is problematic for the analysis of deteriorated wood. In addition, a particular challenge is the distinction of Picea from Larix due to their similar microscopic features.

Recently, an analysis of stable isotopes of cellulose has shown that Larix is characterized by significantly more depleted deuterium values compared to Picea as well as other conifers from the Alpine region. To verify if this fact can be used in archaeological studies, we obtained 36 specimens, most of which were not clearly identified as larch or spruce. The cellulose could be extracted from 20 of them. We identified Larix and non-Larix species (Picea) without ambiguity from the deuterium content, except for one sample with an intermediate value. In conclusion, the evaluation of deuterium content is a valuable tool for the study of archaeologic wood.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Physics Institute > Climate and Environmental Physics
10 Strategic Research Centers > Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR)

UniBE Contributor:

Arosio, Tito, Leuenberger, Markus

Subjects:

500 Science > 550 Earth sciences & geology
500 Science > 580 Plants (Botany)
900 History > 930 History of ancient world (to ca. 499)

ISSN:

2352-409X

Publisher:

Elsevier

Funders:

[4] Swiss National Science Foundation ; [4] Swiss National Science Foundation ; [UNSPECIFIED] Austrian Science Fund

Language:

English

Submitter:

Tito Arosio

Date Deposited:

28 Dec 2021 13:20

Last Modified:

02 Mar 2023 23:35

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103261

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/161874

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/161874

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