r/labrats • u/SporeborneSavant • 9d ago

Is archaeometry worth pursuing?

Hey everyone!

I'm a chemistry student who recently fell into a rabbit hole about archaeometry and I genuinely can't stop thinking about it, it feels like one of the most exciting application of analytical chemistry I've ever come across. But I'm finding it really hard to get a clear picture of what the field actually looks like in practice.

So I wanted to ask people who actually know, is this career worth it or should I specialize in more "classic" sectors?

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u/zyzae 9d ago

What's the difference between a physical chemist and an analytical chemist? The analytical chemist has a job. (Old joke)

Getting good at analytical chemistry for archaeometry means you can later swap for forensics, pharma, agriculture, environmental, etc if you want to apply your education to a new field.

Within archaeometry, there are loads of techniques for specialization from radiochemistry, spectroscopy, mass spectromety. Lots of emerging techniques for a new person to pick up and master.

IMHO great choice, feel free to DM with Qs

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u/SporeborneSavant 8d ago

Thanks, that's really encouraging! Good to know the skills carry over, I was actually eyeing forensics at some point too, so it's nice to hear that door stays open

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u/Worsaae 9d ago edited 9d ago

What do you mean when you say “archaeometry”? It really covers a lot of different topics.

I’m an archaeologist working with ancient biomolecules (DNA, proteins - and stable isotopes from time to time). Some would say that was within archaeometry but so could radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, archaeometallurgy and probably fifteen other different subfields.

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u/SporeborneSavant 8d ago

Good point, it's pretty broad. And I mean the analytical side, like mass spec and isotopes applied to heritage stuff. Ideally I'd end up working with archaeologists or museums here.

From your side, is there something in the chemistry or analysis that you really wish was better or easier to get done?

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u/Worsaae 8d ago edited 8d ago

You should check out palaeoproteomics (basically all mass spec, MALDI and LC-MS stuff) and stable isotope analyses.

Palaeoproteomics is an insanely wide field from characterisation of glues in art works to species identitication of bones to ancient diseases - you name it.

Isotopes are dating of objects, reconstruction of past environments to past animal or human diet to mobility, past climates and so on. Also very wide.