1. ‘Not All That Is White Is Lime’-White Substances from Archaeological Burial Contexts: Analyses and Interpretations
- Author
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Denis Bouquin, Philippe Blanchard, Rémi Corbineau, Rémy Chapoulie, Eline M.J. Schotsmans, Fatma Toksoy-Köksal, Christopher J. Knüsel, Maryelle Bessou, Katharina Becker, Andrew Wilson, Rhea Brettell, A.M. Lingle, and Dominique Castex
- Subjects
Calcite ,010506 paleontology ,Archeology ,History ,Taphonomy ,White (horse) ,Gypsum ,060102 archaeology ,Aragonite ,06 humanities and the arts ,engineering.material ,01 natural sciences ,Archaeology ,Natural (archaeology) ,Diagenesis ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,engineering ,0601 history and archaeology ,Geology ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Lime - Abstract
Archaeological burial contexts may include a variety of white substances, but few analyses have been published. This study reports on the physico‐chemical characterization of such residues from seven archaeological sites. It is often assumed that white materials from burial contexts are lime. Our findings demonstrate that they can be gypsum, calcite (chalk), aragonite, brushite, degraded metal, natural (gum) resins or synthetic polymer–based products. These may be present as the result of diagenetic processes, funerary practices or modern contamination. This paper provides an analytical approach for the holistic investigation of white materials encountered in burial contexts.
- Published
- 2019
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