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.本研究对丹麦一处以新石器时代早期遗存为主的考古埋藏环境中出土的骨制指环展开分析。为明确该器物特征并确定其制作原材料，我们采用了显微计算机断层扫描（Micro CT）、质谱动物考古肽质量指纹谱法（ZooMS）以及液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）蛋白质测序技术开展检测。基于骨单位（哈弗斯管）的存在，我们推断该指环由长骨或鹿角制成。后续ZooMS对I型及II型胶原蛋白的分析结果显示，其原材料可能来自驼鹿（Alces alces）或马鹿（Cervus elaphus）。随后我们通过LC-MS/MS分析进一步细化了物种鉴定，确认该指环的制作材料为马鹿（Cervus elaphus），并对其蛋白质组进行了全面检测。本研究证实了古代蛋白质组学技术在骨制史前器物物种鉴定领域的应用潜力。