Supplementary material from "The biomolecular characterization of a finger ring contextually dated to the emergence of the Early Neolithic from Syltholm, Denmark"

• Main Authors: Jensen, Theis Zetner Trolle, Mackie, Meaghan, Taurozzi, Alberto John, Lanigan, Liam Thomas, Gundelach, Carsten, Olsen, Jesper, Sørensen, Søren Anker, Collins, Matthew James, Sørensen, Mikkel, Schroeder, Hannes
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: The Royal Society 2019
• Subjects: Molecular Biology; Alces alces
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4799625; https://rs.figshare.com/collections/Supplementary_material_from_The_biomolecular_characterization_of_a_finger_ring_contextually_dated_to_the_emergence_of_the_Early_Neolithic_from_Syltholm_Denmark_/4799625

We present the analysis of an osseous finger ring from a predominantly early Neolithic context in Denmark. To characterize the artefact and identify the raw material used for its manufacture, we performed micro-computed tomography scanning, zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry peptide mass fingerprinting, as well as protein sequencing by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We conclude that the ring was made from long bone or antler due to the presence of osteons (Haversian canals). Subsequent ZooMS analysis of collagen I and II indicated that it was made from Alces alces or Cervus elapses material. We then used LC-MS/MS analysis to refine our species identification, confirming that the ring was made from Cervus elaphus , and to examine the rest of the proteome. This study demonstrates the potential of ancient proteomics for species identification of prehistoric artefacts made from osseous material.