Species identification of osseous museum artefacts through peptide mass fingerprinting illustrated by a study on objects from Neolithic to Iron Age Armenia

Abstract Identifying animal species used in osseous industry production is crucial for reconstructing human-animal interactions in ancient societies. However, bone artefact manufacture often involves intensive modifications to raw materials that hamper taxonomic identifications. Here, for the first time in central Eurasia, we taxonomically assess bone objects stored in museum collections, recovered from Late Neolithic to Iron Age contexts in Armenia, using a minimally invasive peptide mass fingerprinting technique, also known as Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS). Our pilot study shows remarkable collagen preservation in the bone artefacts, demonstrating the rich potential of ZooMS for examining legacy collections. The successful ZooMS screening provided taxonomic identification for 86% of the artefacts, offering insights into species selection for bone manufacturing, as well as broader socioeconomic developments and interregional links. Our study underscores the utility of minimally invasive proteomic techniques, enabling the preservation of cultural and historical artefacts while addressing limitations of studying museum collections.