Geographical classification of amber based on pyrolysis- and infra-red spectroscopy data

Abstract

Geographical classification of amber samples, based on the relative yield of 18 pyrolysis products generated through pyrolysing of the single samples at 700°C, is discussed, the pyrolysis data being applied as the input parameters for principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses. For comparison analogous analyses were carried out based on the relative intensities of 18 characteristic infra-red absorption bands as input parameters. The two analytical techniques apparently lead to virtually identical results, although the analysis based on pyrolysis data appears to be somewhat more conclusive. The single amber samples originating from different geographical locations could clearly be distinguished through statistical treatment. The possible linkage between an amber sample found on the Danish island Fur and samples found in Greenland is discussed.