Chemistry Commons^™

Identification Of Natural Dyes In Ancient Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Lc/Ms/Ms, Shailah Mathews, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the natural dyes used on cloth from Peruvian mummies.

Detecting Oceanic Salt In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Alexis Wirtz, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes and the results of analyzing cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of ocean salts.

Determining The Presence Of Biological Fluids In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using The Liquid Chromatography Quadruple Time Of Flight Instrument, Tim Perksen, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of biological fluids.

Nir Mapping Of The Mastodon Tusk Layers, Carli Jo Russenberger

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This tusk was unearthed in September of 1933 in the town of Hampton, Iowa. About two feet from the proximal end, the tip broke upon extrication. In order to preserve this archaeological finding, many layers of lacquers, plasters, and varnishes were applied. 3 The layers of preservation are not well identified, as well as the timing of application.

By using the Near Infrared (NIR) technique, infrared light is applied to the tusk and wavelengths are absorbed. The absorbances can help determine the functional groups of the restoration materials in the NIR range of 4,000 to 10,000 wavenumbers.

The objective of …

Mapping The Exterior Of A Mastodon Tusk Using Uv-Vis Diffuse Reflectance, Teresa Feldman

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The 12-foot, 600-pound mastodon tusk was discovered in Hampton, Iowa, in the 1930s by a man digging in the gravel. It was the largest discovered mastodon tusk until the 1970s. The tusk was donated to UNI in 1933, under Dr. Cable, and put on display at the UNI Museum in the 1960s. Over the years, there have been many efforts to conserve the tusk, but it has still sustained breakage and water damage. It has also been subject to inadvertent degradation from some of the previous conservation efforts.

The purpose of the research conducted was to create a spectral map …

Identification Of Dye Compounds In Chinese Artifacts By Gc Ms, Pratima Raut

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

UNI Museum homes wide variety of textile artworks.
Many of them have historical significance. Two of them are UNIM 2005.2.24 (Tapestry) and UNIM1986.14.1985.1.124 (Hanging)

Figure 1: UNIM 2005.2.24 (Tapestry)
Rectangular Textile
Dimension: 36cm × 69cm
Dark blue silk embroidery of an old bearded man believed to be Chinese god, Shou Hsing
Contrasting floral designed 1'' border
“Made in China” stamp on the plain cotton fabric back

Figure 2: UNIM 1986.14.1985.1.124 (Hanging)
Silk fabric
Dimension 158cm × 74cm
Dimension: 36cm × 69cm
Depiction of an elderly man like the one in Chinese folklore about prosperity
Assumed to be of Chinese origin

Fiber-Optic Spectroscopy Of Mandarin Square Textile Artifacts, Joseph Leonard Tibbs

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Mandarin Squares were officially used from the Ming Dynasty (1391 AD) until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1912), though the tradition dates back even further

These badges were instruments of politics and courtly etiquette, and the animal subject denoted rank and position

Design subject to artistic movements as tastes changed

Common elements include symbolism, good luck charms, flight/motion, mystical beasts (below)

Traditionally worn as two panels on either side of a riding jacket, therefore split by a seam in the middle (see right)

Above: Data Collection using handheld IR Fiber Optic probe Below: A sample page from the Kusakizome …

Fluorescence Mapping Of Materials On Mammut Americanum, Shaylah Peyton Mccool

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Mammut Americanum , more commonly known as the American Mastodon, is an extinct species found throughout North and Central America. Dated from either the Aftonian or Yarmouth age (120,000 to 200,000 B.C.E.), a 12 foot, 600 pound tusk of a mastodon was discovered in Hampton, Iowa in the 1930’s.

In 1933, it was brought to the University of Northern Iowa for comprehensive research and preservation. The tusk was covered in unknown materials such as varnish, spackle, lacquer, and shellac in an attempt to preserve it before putting it on display in the UNI Museum in the 1960’s. Currently, the tusk …

Sem/Edx Analysis Of Bronze Disease, Brian Pauley, Nicole Bishop

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Bronze disease is a type of self-progressing corrosion of bronze. This degradation is thought to be caused by humidity but proliferated through the formation of chlorine containing compounds that further react with the air. The origination of the bronze disease in this artifact is thought to have arisen from the tanning process used in the surrounding leather. It is highly probable that potassium chloride was used in the tanning process, providing the initial chlorides that cause bronze disease. The damage that this corrosion can cause can destroy priceless artifacts. An understanding of the bronze disease structure and chemical composition is …

Determination Of Lead Content In Sidecar Coffee, Birk Shaikoski, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project analyzed the amount of lead present in coffee beans from various parts of the world and decaffeinated beans.

The Characterization Of Leather Wwii Artifacts Using Gc/Ms And Raman Spectroscopy, Brice Houser

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Many museums face the challenge of protecting artifacts from deterioration. This process is often hampered by the history of the artifact, which can introduce factors that start or speed up the process of deterioration. An example of this is the method used during WW II to preserve leather. Mink oil or other fatty substances are used to help preserve and soften leather. A major component of mink oil is palmitic acid.

1 This fatty acid may have reacted with the brass in the same way that the oils from the hand react with coins to make that distinctive metallic smell, …

A Compositional Study Of The Uni Museum Benin Bronzes Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Elizabeth Akers

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

In 1897, the British empire annexed the kingdom of Benin in present day Nigeria.1 Many cultural artifacts, including a large collection of bronze statues and plaques, were taken and distributed among major museums

• Due to their increased demand, many sellers began creating fake bronzes to sell to tourists and collectors alike

• Four Benin bronze artifacts were donated to the museum in 1968 and have been questioned in terms of authenticity based on qualitative analyses

African Masks: Are They Authentic Of Fake? A Fluorescence And Reflective Uv-Vis Spectroscopic Approach, Kaitlyn Parrott

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project was a search for a new way to determine the authenticity of their African Mask collection. The University of Northern Iowa Museum has allowed the non-destructive analysis of five of their African Masks and a collection of African wood samples. This study is investigating if fluorescence spectroscopy and reflective UV-Vis spectroscopy of the African masks Of the five masks two are authentic masks, two are fake, and one the authenticity is unknown.

Raman Spectroscopy For Authentication Of African Tribal Masks, Huzaifa Islam Shah, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

University of Northern Iowa museum’s collection includes some wooden African tribal masks and African wood samples . Authenticity of the masks was doubted, therefore 5 of the masks and 27 different African wood samples were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy to determine the authenticity of the masks. The data obtained suggested that none of the masks were made up of the wood samples from Africa examined in the project.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Of African Tribal Masks, Jordan Smith, Huzaifa Shah, Kaitlyn Parrott

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The project attempts to determine the authenticity of African masks using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Quantification Of Trigonellinefrom Coffee Beans And Its Correlation With The Ph, Kashif A. Shaikh, Jaspreet K. Rishi, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project analyzed the amount of trigonelline preseent in coffee beans at various stages of the roasting process.

Raman Spectroscopy Of Bronze Disease On Wwii Artifacts, Andrea M. Reutzel

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Patina is a film that forms on bronze or similar metals over a long period of time due to an oxidation reaction. If cuprous chloride in copper alloys are present, it reacts with water to create hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the presence of metals will cause corrosions of the bronze and over time it will completely eat away at the metal. This reaction, known as Bronze Disease, is different than patina. Patina can act as a coat and preserver for metals. The University of Northern Iowa’s Museum is experiencing Bronze Disease on artifacts in the WWII collection. The Bronze …

Determination Of Caffeine In Peruvian Coffee At Different Levels Of Roast As Measured Through Capillary Electrophoresis, Jaspreet Kaur Rishi, Kashif Shaikh, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

For this project, the amount of caffeine per gram of Peruvian coffee at different levels of roast was determined in 14 samples using capillary electrophoresis.

Ft-Mir-Atr Of Organic Residues From Inside Peruvian Sacrificial Jars, Warren Rouse, Dr. Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project used various solvents in an attempt to determine the identity of the contents of Peruvian jars to determine their purpose.

Compounds Of Coffee Over The Roasting Process, Alex Jaspering

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The poster explores the changes in the concectration of chemical compounds as coffee beans are roasted.

Exploration Of Potential Treatments Of Bronze Disease Through Sem/Edx Analysis, Nicole Bishop, Brian Pauley

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The poster shows a potential treatment for the corrosion of bronze objects.

Fluorescent Surface Mapping Of Mastodon Tusk, Clare Laubenthal, Joshua Sebree

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

The subject of study is a Mammut americanum (American Mastodon) tusk. The tusk is currently damaged and in need of repair. To better understand the tusk and the preservation materials previously used, fluorescence spectrometry was used to make a surface map of the tusk. This data will be useful to the conservationists as they plan the care and restoration of the tusk.

Energy-Dispersive X-Ray (Edx) Mapping Of Lead In Mastodon Tusk Using Sem, Nicholas Bonde, Katherine Plotzke

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

The composition and location of lead within a prehistoric mastodon tusk was mapped using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis via a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This analysis was intended to provide information on the distribution of lead throughout the tusk. Data collected from this analysis has provided insights into the sources of the lead.

An In Between Study: The Usage Of Cross-Sectional Sem And Raman Spectroscopy To Map The Surface Interfacing Of A Mastodon Tusk And Its Lacquers, Katherine Plotzke

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

A microscopy study utilizing a DXR2 SmartRaman and Evex Mini-Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was done on the UNI Museum’s Mammut americanum (American Mastodon) tusk. A map of the surface interfacing was generated and provided information about the elemental composition and layer interconnectedness. Additionally, this project will also aid in the future restoration work on the tusk funded by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.

What Is The Red Plaster In The Mastodon Tusk?, Tray Hickie

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

During the first visit to the tusk, Dr. Sebree found the crack that had been filled with a strange plaster that was not known at the time.

After seeing the plaster glow from the small flashlight Dr. Sebree had with him, identifying this material seemed like an interesting project.

Due to the fact that the plaster’s makeup is unknown, but identifying the material it was made of, future attempts to restore and preserve the fossil can be done more safely in the event that the material is harmful

Initial x-ray analysis of the mastodon tusk revealed many unexpected surprises.

In …

Classification Of Tusk Layers By Means Of Raman Spectroscopy, Treasure Divis, Vaughn Koch

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

The American Mastodon tusk was donated to the University of Northern Iowa, and Dr. J. Cable took the lead on preserving it for museum display at UNI. Dr. Cable’s notes stated that it would be possible to preserve the entire tusk, because the outside was “covered with a hard enamel-like substance”. Some notes were taken as to what materials were used to preserve the tusk early on, but their exact composition was not noted.

• Glazed and varnished between 1933 and 1960

• 1960 – canned patching plaster on chipping areas, glazing liquid (brown), two coats of varnish (satin finish …

Carbonization Studies On Mammut Americanum Tusk, Nina Jocic

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

Many preservation attempts have been made on the tusk that the University of Northern Iowa acquired. Due to the poor preservation attempts a lot of damage has happened and has caused the tusk to be in a way of disrepair. The Carver grant is very keen on the future preservation of the tusk. The sublimation of nucleobases will be able to help guide the type of preservation methods used in order to preserve the nucleobases and possible DNA still in the tusk. The extraction of nucleobases will not only help with the future preservation of tusk but it will also …

Analysis Of Mammut Americanum Tusk For Asbestos, Madeline C. Roach, Joshua A. Sebree

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

On September 23, 1933, a tusk was discovered in a gravel pit four miles south of Hampton, Iowa. After careful analysis, the tusk was determined to belong to a Mastodon americanus.1 The University of Northern Iowa museum records note that the tusk was patched with a prepared patching plaster in the 1960’s.2 In the United States at the time Alvar was the most commonly used consolidate to form a plaster. It was either mixed with acetone, alcohol and other solvents, or asbestos.3 The museum record notes indicate that the patching plaster was prepared in a can, like a spackling compound.2 …

Sem Topology Of Enamel, Tami Wallin

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

The topology of the enamel is an important topic to study how, on a microscopic level, the surface of the tusk is rough or smooth so that the correct restoration material and method are applied to the tusk. The method of study to find this information will be the SEM; which with the back scattered electrons will tell me the topography and chemical composition on the surface of the mastodon tusk fragment that will be tested, shown in the image below. SEM has better spacial resolution than optical microscopes do with the measuring tool provided by the program and the …

Sem/Edx Chemical Composition Map Of Mastodon Tusk, Juliana Herran

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

The goal of this project was to study one of the rarest objects in the collection of the UNI museum dating to the Aftonian or Yarmouth age (around 120,000 to 200,000 years old).

The tusk is 11 feet, 7.5 inches with a circumference at the proximal end of 2 feet, 2 inches.

There have been previous attempts of restoration of this tusk but there are not specific procedures on record that specify the materials or methods used during the restoration attempts with sufficient detail.

With the support of the Carver Grant awarded to the UNI museum, research teams containing students …