PROTEIN RESIDUE AND FTIR ANALYSIS OF CERAMICS FROM FORT BLISS, McGREGOR RANGE, TX.

Protein residue and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) analysis were
conducted on nine pot sherds from Fort Bliss, McGregor Range, Texas. The modern
environment is described as low limestone hills and desert scrubland. Each sherd was divided
in half for each analysis. Five of the sherds represent examples of undifferentiated El Paso
brownware. The other four sherds are examples of El Paso Polychrome. All of the sherds
were surface finds that had been exposed to the elements, presumably since their deposition.
Each sherd was divided in half for each analysis. Although these sherds were surface finds
exposed to the elements, it is hoped that the porous nature of the ceramics will preserve
residues, thus indicating what materials were cooked or stored and transported in the vessels.