Identification of anthraquinone dye colourants in red fibres from an Ohio Hopewell mound site by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry

Abstract

AbstractAmong prehistoric native groups of North America, the Ohio Hopewell was a particularly notable cultural manifestation that prevailed during the Middle Woodland Period (ca. 2100–1500 BP). The group is defined by the construction of elaborate burial mounds, evidence of ritual burning and cremation ceremonies, and a multitude of intricately decorated objects formed from materials obtained through extensive trade networks. While relatively few textile artefacts survive, those that have been preserved reflect a comprehensive knowledge of plant and animal fibre, dye, and pigment sources, and manipulation of those materials to create complex decorated fabric structures. The research reported herein is part of a programme to understand the materials used and the processes of colouration employed prehistorically. To investigate the sources of dye colourants, we applied direct analysis in real time – time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART-MS) to both comparative materials and archaeological fibres from thre...