A novel identification method for collagen-based cultural heritage: Integrating thermokinetics and generalized master plots

Abstract

Collagen-based cultural heritage is important carrier for human civilization, which witnesses the historical development. However, the manufacturing process of the collagen-based cultural heritage, including the tanning agents used has long been a challenging issue in the field of archaeology science. In the present work, a novel method was provided for the identification of collagen-based cultural heritage by integrating thermokinetics and generalized master plots. The overall thermal behavior of the historical leather artifact was consistent with the newly prepared samples. The fitting of the historical leather artifact was closely aligned with the model for quebracho-tanned leather, which matched the An model at α 〈 0.5, and the F1 model at α 〉 0.5. Therefore, it was confirmed that the historical leather artifact unearthed in Turpan, Xinjiang, China, was made from condensed tannin. The reliability and applicability of this methodology in identifying collagen-based cultural heritage were further supported by FTIR and TG-FTIR-MS analyses. This innovative method holds profound significance for the identification and evaluation of the historical leather artifacts, which might help us in the inheritance and preservation of collagen-based cultural heritage.