A Bloody Mystery: Proteomic Residue Analysis of Archaeologically-Recovered Mortuary Ceramics from Iron Age Germany
Abstract
This project developed a successful method of proteomic residue analysis of archaeologically-recovered ceramic vessels to test if sampled ceramic mortuary vessels excavated from two Late Hallstatt (650-450 BCE) tumuli contained alcoholic beverages such as beer or mead. This hypothesis was rejected in favor of a preliminary interpretation. The preliminary interpretation suggests that previously unattested mortuary practices involving exsanguination, excision, and comingling of certain parts of the deceased human body with plant and animal species of local and distant origin. The method also identified the first and earliest evidence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 18.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Anderson, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Archaeology|Cultural anthropology|Biochemistry
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