At the Medieval Archaeology Laboratory of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona studies of materials and human remains from different archaeological sites can be carried out.
The laboratory is equiped with several instruments such as the Laser Aider Profiler, a tool that allows us to draw archaeological material efficiently and accurately. In addition, it is equipped with an integrated camera to complement the archaeological illustrations with high resolution images of ceramics.
Furthermore, there is a microscopy equipment consisting of a trinocular microscope Optika B-383POL with Optika C-B18+ mpx camera with 16 Mp CMOS colour sensor and a stereoscope with triple magnification factor and integrated digital camera Optika SFX-91D. The microscopy equipment is used for different purposes: to study ceramic paste compositions and characterize stone materials.
Finally, the laboratory has equipment for field work such as drones, optical levels, GPSs and all the necessary tools to carry out archaeological excavations.
Within the Department of Medieval History and Historiographic Sciences at the University of Granada, the Archaeological Material Analysis Laboratory stands as a pivotal hub for scholarly investigation. Here, rigorous research converges with historical inquiry, shaping our understanding of the past.
MEDGREENREV finds its home within these walls. The laboratory’s core mission revolves around the meticulous examination and analysis of diverse archaeological materials:
Amidst microscopes and scholarly discourse, this unassuming laboratory breathes life into medieval history, being one of the first steps within the MEDGREENREV project.
The laboratories at the Universität Basel are managed by the Research Group Quaternary Geology. The laboratories include: a Thin Section Laboratory, The Speleothem Archive, Digital Image Analysis Laboratory, Sample Preparation Laboratories and Stable Isotope Laboratory.
Thin Section Laboratory
The thin section lab is equipped to produce a wide variety of high-quality polished thin and thick sections. The lab is equipped with a wide range of instruments for thin section preparation, including slab saws, trim saws, grinders, epoxy impregnation stations, lapping machines, and polishing machines. Sections from soft sediments, hard rocks, minerals and soils can be produced.
Cutting
Grinding
Polishing
The Speleothem Archive
All samples are archived in the large (55 m2) speleothem archive, where sample slabs can be displayed and sorted for subsequent sampling. In this room, the caving equipment is stored and maintained.
Digital Image Analysis Laboratory
The group has a Keyence Digital Microscope VHX-7000 (4k) and VHX-S770E motorized stage to take images of stalagmites and thin sections. Digital Image analysis allows us to measure the thickness of annual growth bands and distribution of fluid inclusions within a stalagmite.
Sample Preparation Laboratories
Samples for stable isotope analysis are prepared in a special laboratory, which are equipped with various micromills and balances.
Stable Isotope Laboratory
The new state-off-the-art isotope Laboratory (BaQUIL) was established in 2019 and consists of:
BioArCh has a unique concentration of expertise in bioarchaeology, with internationally recognised strengths in the analysis of human, animal, and plant remains and molecular techniques - proteins, lipids, DNA, and stable isotopes. We have dedicated laboratories for Archaeobotany, Archaeological chemistry, light stable isotopes, Paleogenomics, Paleoproteomics, zooarchaeology, Imaging and wear Analysis, and a suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation for various analyses. Our BioArCh centre is also strongly linked with the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry.
Some of the facilities available for work undertaken as part of the MEDGREENREV project are detailed below, but for further information regarding the full breadth of our available resources please refer to the website: https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/research/research-centres/bioarch/facilities/.
Organic residue analysis
We have extensive facilities for the chemical characterisation of organic materials associated with archaeological artefacts, skeletal remains and sediments.
This includes a dedicated organic chemistry lab for sample processing, extraction and derivatization of compounds prior to instrument analysis.
Our instruments are housed across three laboratories and include:
Additional facilities for archaeological chemistry including access to high resolution mass spectrometry are available at the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry.
Stable Isotope analysis
We routinely conduct bulk stable isotope analysis of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) on a diverse range of organic samples.
This includes bone (collagen), tooth (dentine), hair and fur (keratin) and also deposits such as charred food crusts from ceramic vessels and archaeological plant remains. We also have facilities for analysing oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H/D) in organic material to inform on mobility.
We are also one of the few archaeological laboratories in the UK currently processing and analysing carbon and nitrogen isotopes of single amino acids from collagen (compound-specific isotope analysis); a relatively new technique to archaeology which provides higher resolution information on past diet than bulk analysis alone.
Sercon EA-IRMS
Thermo Delta V Plus and Thermo Trace GC
aDNA
BioArCh is home to a purpose-built palaeogenomic laboratory to recover ancient DNA from archaeological and historic specimens, following rigorous methodologies.
We routinely conduct ancient DNA extraction from various archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological remains. The types of samples analysed include: human and animal bones and teeth, plant and seed remains, wood and soil organic matter, coprolites. We also have a PCR lab that is used to amplify and characterise DNA fragments.
Ancient DNA Laboratory
PCR Laboratory
*Photographs courtesy of York University
The laboratory facilities in the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Reading include spaces for processing and sampling cores for soil/sediment characterisation, sedaDNA, palynology and geochemical analyses, the Microanalysis Preparation Unit (MPU) and microscopy. The MPU prepares and polishes thin sections of soils and sediments, ceramics, building materials, geological materials and bone. The MPU has a workshop space and a precision finishing space, and the equipment comprises:
Facilities in the Chemical Analytical Facility and Electron Microscopy Lab include FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and SEM.