This project uses peptide mass fingerprinting to analyze objects of cultural heritage providing a more complete understanding of skin-constructed Native North American material culture. The methodology requires only micro-samples of skin material to identify mammalian sources to species level. Such information has not previously been possible. Results will be used to develop a cultural map of mammal use for objects from coastal Native Alaska, North West and Northern California, and the High Plains regions. A workshop for conservators, museum curators and traditional knowledge specialists will be conducted to highlight project methodology and results and to disseminate the reference database.
This project applies peptide mass fingerprinting to provide a more complete understanding of skin-constructed Native North American material culture. The methodology requires only micro-samples of original skin material to identify mammalian sources to species level. This kind of information has not previously been possible. Results will be used to develop a cultural map of mammal use for objects from coastal Native Alaska, North West and Northern California, and the High Plains regions. A workshop for conservators, museum curators and traditional knowledge specialists among indigenous communities will highlight project results and make accessible the developing mass spectral database of reference materials.
