The biomolecular characterization of a finger ring contextually dated to the emergence of the Early Neolithic from Syltholm, Denmark

Theis Zetner Trolle Jensen; Meaghan Mackie; Alberto John Taurozzi; Liam Thomas Lanigan; Carsten Gundelach; Jesper Olsen; Søren Anker Sørensen; Matthew James Collins; Mikkel Sørensen; Hannes Schroeder

doi:10.1098/rsos.191172

The biomolecular characterization of a finger ring contextually dated to the emergence of the Early Neolithic from Syltholm, Denmark

R Soc Open Sci. 2020 Jan 22;7(1):191172. doi: 10.1098/rsos.191172. eCollection 2020 Jan.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
² BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, Environment Building, Wentworth Way, University of York, York YO10 5NG, UK.
³ Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
⁴ Department of Physics, NEXMAP, Technical University of Denmark, Fysikvej 311, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
⁵ Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
⁶ Museum Lolland-Falster, Frisegade 40, 4800 Nykøbing Falster, Denmark.
⁷ McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, West Tower, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UK.
⁸ The Saxo Institute, Department of Archaeology, University of Copenhagen, Karen Blixens vej 4, 2300 København S, Denmark.

Abstract

We present the analysis of an osseous finger ring from a predominantly early Neolithic context in Denmark. To characterize the artefact and identify the raw material used for its manufacture, we performed micro-computed tomography scanning, zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS) peptide mass fingerprinting, as well as protein sequencing by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We conclude that the ring was made from long bone or antler due to the presence of osteons (Haversian canals). Subsequent ZooMS analysis of collagen I and II indicated that it was made from Alces alces or Cervus elaphus material. We then used LC-MS/MS analysis to refine our species identification, confirming that the ring was made from Cervus elaphus, and to examine the rest of the proteome. This study demonstrates the potential of ancient proteomics for species identification of prehistoric artefacts made from osseous material.

Keywords: collagen; liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; mass spectrometry; micro-computed tomography scanning; zooarchaeology; zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry.

Associated data

figshare/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4799625