University of York

Post-Doc, Archaeology

Marie Curie research fellow

About

The THREADs project (Textile and Hair proteomics: Re-examination of European wool from Archaeological Deposits) between AgResearch and BioArCh aims at creating proteome maps for selected breeds and highlight the differentiation in the protein composition (AgResearch). If successful the results will be linked to medieval fibre types and wool quality, and during the second phase of the project (BioArCh) will be compared to historically documented fibre types and archaeological textiles from major textile centres and regional markets. The outcome of the project for archaeology will be the relation to trade and economics of an important period of the wool industry. In the final part of the project we will evaluate the preservation of the identified wool markers in archaeological textiles conserved in association with corroded metals. Another aspect of my research is to evaluate protein damage and see to which extent the protein markers can be detected in ancient textiles and how the proteome is affected by diagenesis and wool processing. This includes the effect on wool proteins of photo-oxidation occurring during the lifetime of a textile (for instance, in relation to cloth history use, or display of tapestries), and especially the effect of dyes and mordants, as well as the effect of the burial environment on excavated textiles. Samples of modern wool will be analysed after remaining in experimental burials for up to 8 years, and will be compared to archaeological samples found in similar conditions. We expect to see protein hydrolysis and side-chain amino acid modifications, which will be related to a specific use and history of a cloth. Eventually this information will be able to advance in our understanding of wool in textiles, and be used for future conservation strategies in museums.