A two-year project funded by NCPTT implemented the use of a modern bioanalytical technique (Peptide Mass Fingerprinting-PMF-described below) to identify collagen-based materials in objects at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and in collaboration with the Harvard Art Museums and the FAS Division of Science proposed a proof-of-concept project to demonstrate
- PMF could corroborate or replace current methods of materials’ identification by providing specific and accurate information about materials’ sources,
- PMF could be learned quickly and used successfully by non-expert museum personnel,
- the technique was sufficiently sensitive to ensure that sample size requirements were consistent with museum sampling practices, and
- large numbers of objects could be studied in a short period of time. All these goals were met.