Chemistry of Tombs

Chemical archeology is the application of chemical tools to archeological finds with the objective of determining the date and composition of an artifact. Dating techniques are especially important to biblical archeology, which aims to demonstrate corresponding dates between historical artifacts such as the Jesus tomb and accounts in the Bible

Chemical dating techniques are generally divided into two categories: relative and absolute. Absolute dating techniques will provide more reliable and specific dating information. However, since the absolute approach can be expensive and complicated, relative dating techniques may be used. When it comes to tombs, the appropriate dating technique will be used according to the material being analyzed. This may include organic material such as bones, pottery, and soil analysis.

Chemical Dating Techniques

NFU is a technique used for bone dating. This method relies on the analysis of nitrogen (N) loss in relation to the absorption of fluorine (F) and uranium (U) in the bones, a process that takes place over time. The degree of loss and absorption relative to living bone composition can provide a relative indication of the age of bones.

Amino acid dating is another method that relies on the measurement of natural chemical processes over time. In this case, the rate of conversion of amino acids that comprise protein is used to date archaeological finds. This method is sometimes referred to as "racemization," to describe the conversion that takes place between L type amino acids to D type amino acids. This technique can provide both relative and absolute results.

Carbon dating relies on the progressive loss of Carbon 14 by aging bones at a measurable rate. This method has been used to date artifacts as old as 75 000 years.

Differential thermal analysis or Thermoluminescence is an absolute dating method applied to ancient pottery and ceramics. This technique relies on the natural radiation that an artifact is exposed to through time. This exposure results in the relative loss of electrons, which produces a certain light when heated.

Patination is the analysis of the layer which coats some artifacts known as patina. This formation is largely dependent on the soil found in the surrounding area of the artifact which affects the chemical reactions taking place.

By analyzing factors such as soil composition, climate, and the materials that make up an artifact, a more accurate date may be determined. For instance, the concentration of fluorine and uranium in surrounding soil will affect the results of an NFU test, and other elements of soil composition will affect the type as well as the rate of chemical reactions taking place.