Tobacco Residue On Archaeological Pipes: Analysis Via Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Current methods of residue analysis in the fields of archaeological science and cultural heritage science mostly rely on destructive sampling methods that often damage objects of cultural heritage. Tobacco residues found on an archaeological object may contain insights into the object’s use in antiquity, even impacting its legal status under the Native American Graves Repatriation and Protection Act. However, museum or legal limitations on destructive sampling often prevent curators and conservators from carrying out any analysis. In addition, contamination is a concern for any residue analysis, especially for items that have been in a museum for decades or centuries. By conducting a series of experimental analyses that included documented archaeological collections from the Arizona State Museum, we have developed a non-destructive method for the detection of tobacco residue. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in combination with widely-available gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GCMS), was used to successfully detect nicotine as a biomarker in tobacco residues from three of the museum pipes.