Characterizing the Composition of an Unknown Compound Found on an Ancient lamp
Grace Heck
Department of Chemistry
Abstract
In this project, an unknown sample from an ancient Chinese artifact, believed to have been used as a lamp, dating from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 8 AD) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The FTIR and 1H-NMR data for the sample suggest that the sample is composed primarily of a long-chain monester with low levels of other, as-yet unidentified, molecules. The 13C-NMR of the sample is nearly identical to a published spectrum of beeswax, which suggests that the monoester is myricyl palmitate, a key component of beeswax, which has chains of 15 and 30 carbons on either side of the ester group. This finding is significant since it is not believed that beeswax was in use at this time for lighting lamps. Further studies are planned to determine the geographic origin of the beeswax via identification of trace components by mass spectrometry and, ultimately, carbon-14 dating will be used to prove the age of the sample.
Bio: Grace is a Junior Biochemistry major currently pursuing a minor in Anthropology. For the past year, she has been working with Dr. David Moore on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, and the characterization of an unknown substance from an ancient Chinese artifact. She hopes to pursue a PhD at the University of Tennessee, and a career in Forensic Anthropology. Grace is also the Master Alchemist of the Lehigh Chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma, the national chemistry fraternity, as well as a TRACs fellow. Outside of the classroom Grace is involved in the Lehigh Bike Club, and raised over $300 last year to partake in a 150 mile charity ride for MS.
