PepT*ID - Peptide analyses for Taxa IDentification in ancient Mediterranean

Identifying species is a major challenge in archaeology in order to better understand the history of human/animal relationships. The recently developed ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry) method enables this identification to be made, via collagen peptide analysis. Minimally or non-invasively invasive, ZooMS overcomes the limitations inherent in traditional archaeozoology, such as the fragmentation of bone remains, the lack of diagnostic anatomical criteria or the transformation of organic remains during operational chains. The PepT*ID project will develop this method within the consortium, and will respond to various scientific issues raised by the partner laboratories, such as :

1. Distinguishing between morphologically similar taxa (caprini, antilopini, cervidae);
2. Discriminating unidentifiable remains;
3. Identifying the animal origin of materials used by past societies to manufacture objects;
4. Ensure the reliability of isotopic reference materials.

The PepT*ID project, both diachronic and interdisciplinary, is also intended to generate a strong structuring effect within the ARKAIA Institute for Mediterranean archaeology, by offering workshops (English/French) for PhD students and master's students, thus contributing to the attractiveness of the training courses. The overall strategic objective is to initiate the development of new expertise within the host institute as part of an international research dynamic (which could lead to an application for European funding).