Prinsloo, Linda CharlottaWadley, LynLombard, Marlize2014-04-142014-04-142014-01Prinsloo, LC, Wadley, L & Lombard, M 2014, 'Infrared reflectance spectroscopy as an analytical technique for the study of residues on stone tools : potential and challenges', Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 41, pp. 732-739.0305-4403 (print)1095-9238 (online)10.1016/j.jas.2013.10.011http://hdl.handle.net/2263/39661FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical method that has been used successfully to analyse both inorganic and organic archaeological material. Using a microscope attachment has the additional benefit of analysing very small spots (diameter 100 mm) directly on an artefact without sample preparation or destruction. It is therefore a suitable method to study residues on prehistoric stone tools. However, using a microscope without an ATR (attenuated total reflection) microscope objective, results in a combination of reflection and transmission/absorbance FTIR spectra, which is not always as easy to interpret as directly measured transmission/absorbance spectra. In order to improve the interpretation of spectra recorded on archaeological samples, the method was tested with replicated Middle Stone Age stone points used during hunting and butchery experiments on parts of a blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) published in 2004 (Lombard et al., 2004). In this case, the residues on the tools were known and post-depositional contamination was eliminated. Additional samples of the organic materials, and the minerals from which the tools were made were also available. Therefore, we could assess the viability of FTIR reflectance spectra for distinguishing between bone, fat and protein residues.en© 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Archaeological Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 41, pp. 732-739, 2014. doi : 10.1016/j.jas.2013.10.011FTIR reflectance spectroscopyStone toolsAnimal residuesStone implementsExcavations (Archaeology)Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)Tools, PrehistoricForensic archaeologyPostprint Article