Identification of archaeological ivories using FT-Raman spectroscopy

FT-Raman spectroscopy has been used successfully for the non-destructive identification of modern ivories and is evaluated here for the identification of osseous materials from archaeological sites. Results on archaeological ivories are reported and the problems faced in matching FT-Raman spectra to standards for the validation of these materials are highlighted. Archaeological specimens of different dates, provenance and taphonomic history, including both conserved and unconserved items, have been analysed.