Author:
Haghighi Zahra,Mackie Meaghan,Apalnes Ørnhøi Anne,Ramsøe Abigail,Olstad Tone Marie,Armitage Simon James,Henshilwood Christopher Stuart,Cappellini Enrico
Abstract
AbstractTwo distemper paint samples taken from decorative boards in Uvdal stave church, Norway, were analysed using palaeoproteomics, with an aim of identifying their binder and possible contaminants. The results point at the use of calfskin to produce hide glue as the original paint binder, and are consistent with the instructions of binder production and resource allocation in the historical records of Norway. Although we did not observe any evidence of prior restoration treatments using protein-based materials, we found abundant traces of human saliva proteins, as well as a few oats and barley peptides, likely deposited together on the boards during their discovery in the 1970s. This work illustrates the need to fully consider contamination sources in palaeoproteomics and to inform those working with such objects about the potential for their contamination.
Funder
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Norges Forskningsråd
Danmarks Grundforskningsfond
Novo Nordisk Fonden
Lundbeck Foundation
Carlsbergfondet
University of Bergen
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC