The biomolecular characterisation of a finger ring contextually dated to the emergence of the Early Neolithic from Syltholm, Denmark

We present the analysis of an osseous finger ring from a predominantly
early Neolithic context in Denmark. To characterise the artefact and
identify the raw material used for its manufacture, we performed
micro-computed tomography (Micro CT) scanning, zooarchaeology by mass
spectrometry (ZooMS) 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
elaphus 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.