This work begins with a brief description of the goals and history of archaeological science, and the place of chemistry within it. It sets out the most widely used analytical techniques in archaeology and compares them in the light of relevant applications. It also provides case studies.

This work begins with a brief description of the goals and history of archaeological science, and the place of chemistry within it. It sets out the most widely used analytical techniques in archaeology and compares them in the light of relevant applications. It includes an analysis of several specific archaeological investigations in which chemistry has been employed in tracing the origins of or in preserving artifacts. The choice of these investigations conforms to themes based on analytical techniques, and includes chapters on obsidian, ceramics, glass, metals and resins. Finally, it suggests a future role for chemical and biochemical applications in archaeology.

The development of archaeological chemistry
analytical techniques applied to archaeology
obsidian characterization in the eastern Mediterranean
the geochemistry of clays and the provenance of ceramics
the chemistry and corrosion of archaeological glass
the chemical study of metals - the European medieval and later brass industry
the chemistry and use of resinous substances
amino acids stereochemistry and the first Americans
lead isotope geochemistry and the trade in metals
summary - whither archaeological chemistry?. Appendices: the structure of the atom and the electromagnetic spectrum
isotopes
fundamental constants
atomic number and approximate weights (based on 12C = 12.000 ) of the elements
periodic table of the elements.