Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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 …