Dear Christian,
This would depend a bit on what type of analysis you were after, i.e.
fats, oils and waxes would need GC-MS techniques, whereas proteins need
immuno-assay or are you thinking about microscopic analysis (pollen,
phytoliths etc.)
For GC-MS with stable isotope work, the best lab is Richard Evershed's
group at the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol. I don't know
to what extent he would be interested in small contract type work.
Matthew Collins at York University is a good contact for proteins.
Actually, the chemical techniques mentioned don't actually need visible
surface resides, but work well from absorbed residues which are well
protected by the pottery fabric from decay and contamination.
Sample sizes for these analytical techniques can be very small. If
absorbed residues are examined, a 2g destructive sample is taken from
the fabric.
Cheers,
Alan.
----------------------
Alan K. Outram BA MSc PhD MIFA FSA
Senior Lecturer in Archaeology
Department of Archaeology, SoGAER
University of Exeter
Laver Building
North Park Road
Exeter
EX4 4QE UK
Tel: +44 (0)1392 264398
Fax: +44 (0)1392 264358
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