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