Welcome to our Spectroscopy and Archaeology Content Series!
All of us at Spectroscopy magazine are excited to bring you our second content series, which focuses on the role that spectroscopy has played in advancing archaeological science. This content series spotlights the latest research in this field, recognizing the spectroscopists that are conducting important work in this field to help us understand ancient human civilizations.
Our content series contains 13 original pieces, a couple of which have appeared in previous Spectroscopy print issues. We have two new landing pages for you to explore today. The first one, titled, “A Look Into the Ancient Past,” contains nine original pieces, including two question and answer (Q & A) interviews, conducted by Spectroscopy editors Will Wetzel and Patrick Lavery. This landing page also highlights six recent studies where spectroscopy has played a role in archaeological science, with spectroscopic techniques such as portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy taking center stage. We also highlight studies that were conducted all over the globe, from Stonehenge to northern Spain to the Middle East.
Our second landing page, titled, “An Inside Look at Ancient Egyptian History,” focuses on studies that were designed to uncover more about Ancient Egypt. This landing page contains four original pieces, including one Q & A interview conducted by our associate editorial director Caroline Hroncich, which examines studying ancient papyrus through non-destructive spectroscopic techniques. This landing page also contains a thorough look at Ancient Egyptian blue pigments used in material culture during the Pharaonic Period, and a couple studies that highlight the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy in helping elucidate the archaeological record.
To embark on your journey, you can access either landing page below to get started!
How Satellite-Based Spectroscopy is Transforming Inland Water Quality Monitoring
Published: April 29th 2025 | Updated: April 29th 2025New research highlights how remote satellite sensing technologies are changing the way scientists monitor inland water quality, offering powerful tools for tracking pollutants, analyzing ecological health, and supporting environmental policies across the globe.
Chinese Researchers Develop Dual-Channel Probe for Biothiol Detection
April 28th 2025Researchers at Qiqihar Medical University have developed a dual-channel fluorescent probe, PYL-NBD, that enables highly sensitive, rapid, and selective detection of biothiols in food, pharmaceuticals, and living organisms.
The fNIRS Glossary Project: A Community-Sourced Glossary of Key Terms
April 28th 2025Established to develop a community-sourced glossary covering key functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) terms, including those related to the continuous-wave (CW), frequency-domain (FD), and time-domain (TD) NIRS techniques, the fNIRS Glossary Project features over 300 terms categorized into six key domains: analysis, experimental design, hardware, neuroscience, mathematics, and physics. It also includes abbreviations, symbols, synonyms, references, alternative definitions, and figures where relevant.
