Data of potential biomarkers for southern African hunter-gatherer arrow poisons applied to ethno-historical and archaeological samples

SND-ID: 2023-76-1. Version: 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58141/jqz0-hs50

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Database_Analysis_of_arrow_poison_residues_from_southern_ Africa_2023.xlsx (861.55 KB)

Citation

Creator/Principal investigator(s)

Sven Isaksson - Stockholm University

Research principal

Stockholm University - Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies

Description

The data was used when searching for potential biomarkers for southern African hunter-gatherer arrow poisons applied to ethno-historical and archaeological samples using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). All data is presented in a single xlsx-file. The INFO-worksheet contains provenance information of the samples and detailed methods descriptions of the ATR-FTIR and GCMS analyses. The ATR FTIR-data consists of un-normalized absorbance registered at given wavenumbers for each of the samples. The GCMS-data consists of identified components, their retention time and their percent of the total peak area of the total ion-chromatogram of each sample. Unidentified components are marked with a sole “?”.

Data contains personal data

Language

English

Method and outcome

Unit of analysis

Object

Population

Museum collections

Sampling procedure

We sampled poison from a typical selection of four varieties of arrows. Arrows were selected which had bits of poison flaking off and which were therefore easy to sample without causing much damage.

Time period(s) investigated

1000 – 1988

12th century – 20th century

Data format / data structure

Numeric

Text

Type of archaeological remains

Collection, HUNTING AND TRAPPING

Data collection

Geographic coverage

Geographic spread

Geographic location: Sub-Saharan Africa