2022 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium
Location
ScholarSpace, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa
Presentation Type
Open Access Poster Presentation
Document Type
poster
Keywords
Indian pottery--Iowa--Spectra; Indians of North America--Iowa--Food; Maple syrup--Iowa;
Abstract
The research conducted regards whether or not Native Americans understood how to create maple syrup before the influence of Europeans. Through the usage of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), the identity of different maple syrup organic residues within pottery can be determined.1 These organic residues tell us more about Native American history and culture. An analysis of organic residues was performed on the following types of pottery: proof of concept and weathered (an analog of the proof of concept). Organic residues were able to be identified within the proof of concept but not in the weathered pottery. This research also helps to understand the usage of organic residues within archeological and chemical research as there is debate on their reliability.2
Pieces of Native American pottery were found in Hartman Reserve, a nature center located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It is theorized that the area, when occupied by Native Americans, was a maple camp. This can be speculated as the area contained large amounts of fire cracked rock (rock that has been broken through deliberate heating) and small amounts of weaponry/stone tools.3 A cool environment, maple trees, and fire cracked rock are all indicators that the reserve was used for maple syrup production.
Start Date
29-7-2022 11:00 AM
End Date
29-7-2022 1:30 PM
Event Host
Summer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Northern Iowa
Faculty Advisor
Joshua Sebree
Department
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Copyright
©2022 Alexis Wirtz, Dr. Joshua Sebree, Dr. Donald Gaff
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Wirtz, Alexis; Sebree, Joshua Ph.D.; and Gaff, Donald Ph.D., "Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy Analysis of Native American Pottery for Maple Syrup Residue [Poster]" (2022). Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium. 11.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/surp/2022/all/11
Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy Analysis of Native American Pottery for Maple Syrup Residue [Poster]
ScholarSpace, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa
The research conducted regards whether or not Native Americans understood how to create maple syrup before the influence of Europeans. Through the usage of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), the identity of different maple syrup organic residues within pottery can be determined.1 These organic residues tell us more about Native American history and culture. An analysis of organic residues was performed on the following types of pottery: proof of concept and weathered (an analog of the proof of concept). Organic residues were able to be identified within the proof of concept but not in the weathered pottery. This research also helps to understand the usage of organic residues within archeological and chemical research as there is debate on their reliability.2
Pieces of Native American pottery were found in Hartman Reserve, a nature center located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It is theorized that the area, when occupied by Native Americans, was a maple camp. This can be speculated as the area contained large amounts of fire cracked rock (rock that has been broken through deliberate heating) and small amounts of weaponry/stone tools.3 A cool environment, maple trees, and fire cracked rock are all indicators that the reserve was used for maple syrup production.
