Characterization of cultural remains associated to a human skeleton found at the site HMS Swift (1770)

Different types of materials found in association with a human skeleton found in an 18th century shipwreck in Patagonia (Argentina) were analyzed by means of OM, SEM–EDX, HPLC, and chemical analysis. Alizarin and purpurin, the main anthraquinones of the dye plant Rubia tinctorum L. (madder) were identified as the coloring matter of a red fabric attached to the skeleton. Metallographic and chemical analysis of one of the dome-shaped buttons associated to the human bones revealed that it was composed of a Pb–Sn–Cu alloy known as pewter. The results obtained support the hypothesis that the remains originally were part of a private marine uniform.