Laboratory space and equipment

The Biogeology work group of Professor Bocherens has state-of-the-art laboratories with designated areas for preparing and analysing archaeological and fossil samples.

The lab areas:

Temperature and humidity controlled lab for collagen purification and storage in climatic controlled cabinets
Carbonate bioapatite pretreatment lab with dental drilling and abrasion equipment
Designated fine balance weighing stations
Ultra-fine balance lab for weighing samples prior to mass spectrometry
Bone and tooth sampling stations
Bone crushing booth

Lab equipment:

Mass spectrometer and periphery modules for C, N, O isotope ratio analysis (Elementar Isoprime 100)
Freeze dryer with programmable settings for freeze drying (lyophilisation) of collagen and other sensitive biological samples
Humidity controlled cabinets for collagen sample storage
Millipore water purifier
Fume hoods (x4)
Fine balances, ovens, deep-freezer, ultrasound bath, centrifuges, shakers, stirrers, etc.
Bone and dental diamond tip sampling machinery
Chemical cabinets for proper storage of laboratory chemicals

Stable isotope mass spectrometer (Elementar Isoprime 100) with multi-flow module for carbonate analysis

Collaborations

The working group Biogeology also collaborates with several other working groups within the University of Tübingen and is able to get samples further analysed for elemental C and N, S, Sr isotopes and deuterium, as well as undergo virtual imaging. We also have partner institutions outside Tübingen able to assist with 14C radiocarbon dating, ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry), and archaeo- and palaeogenetics (ancient DNA).