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The world has changed yet again since the preface to the second edition was written in 2007, and immeasurably so since 1995. Analytical instrumentation continues to improve in terms of micro-sampling, multi-elemental sensitivity, rapidity of throughput, and availability. Mass spectrometry, in all its forms, has been revolutionized over the last ten years. The mantra now, for better or worse, is ‘non-destructive’ and ‘portable’, and the current generation of instruments, including some equipment with multi-technique capability (e.g., combined XRF and XRD), can often be taken to the object, rather than vice versa. Analytical capability in the field of the analysis of biomolecular residues in archaeological material in particular has changed beyond all recognition, especially for ancient DNA (which we have avoided!) and palaeoproteomics, for which we have added a new chapter to this edition.

The literature on archaeological chemistry also continues to increase exponentially, especially in terms of journal articles. In the previous two prefaces, we suggested that two ‘golden ages of archaeometry’ could be identified—one in the 1960s and 70s, where the ‘New Archaeology’ was interested in following the ‘trade routes’ for inorganic materials using the leading analytical techniques of the time (often NAA), and one which became significant in the 1990s, which we might term the ‘bioarchaeology revolution’. The latter is certainly still with us, and, if anything, is getting bigger. What started with the chemical analysis of the inorganic component of bones rapidly switched to the organic (collagen) phase, and now includes a whole plethora of protein studies in mammalian tissue (bone, teeth, calculus, hair), but also extracted from other sources such as the surface of stone tools and the contents of ceramics. And, of course, there is DNA. After a hesitant start in the 1970s, aDNA (now referred to as palaeogenomics) is now an increasingly mature contributor to the archaeological debate. We sense too that the age of inorganic analysis in archaeology is undergoing something of a revival. Not only have analytical techniques changed dramatically since the 1970s, but also the whole theoretical framework for archaeology has changed. Gone are the rival camps of theorists and scientists, glowering at each other from across the conference podium, to be replaced essentially by an integrative model which accepts that the past is so complicated that no single discipline can monopolize the narrative, to the exclusion of all others. For inorganic materials in particular, there is a growing appreciation of the need to move beyond the descriptive into the world of material culture theory.

The aim of this edition, therefore, is to provide for the reader what we hope is a sound introduction to the scientific principles which underpin the many analytical techniques which are now embraced by archaeology, coupled with examples of how these techniques can address serious questions in modern archaeology. As before, we apologize in advance for any omissions, over-simplifications or errors which may remain in this third edition.

Mark Pollard, Carl Heron and Ruth Ann Armitage

Oxford, Bradford and Ypsilanti

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