In CHARM, we’re analysing medieval parchment to uncover what animals were used to make them. Using a technique called ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry), we can identify the species behind each document by looking at tiny fragments of collagen that parchment consists of.
It’s a bit like DNA analysis, but instead of genes, we read the “protein fingerprints” of history. But in order to get the result, each sample goes through a careful protocol in the laboratory, designed to optimise small sample yield and to avoid contamination, harmful for our delicate samples. The samples are all processed at the ancient protein laboratories at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen.
This week marks a major milestone: half of all charter samples have now been processed, and the rest are on their way. If all goes as planned, all data will arrive before Christmas, revealing eventually which animals (calf, sheep, goat…) were used to produce these medieval parchments.