ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry)

ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry) is a scientific technique used to identify animal species from ancient or fragmentary remains. It analyzes collagen, a protein found in bones and skulls, using mass spectrometry to detect specific patterns in its amino acid structure. This method allows researchers to accurately determine which animals the remains came from, even when traditional morphological features are too degraded or incomplete for identification. ZooMS is valuable in archaeology and conservation for understanding past animal populations, domestication, and hunting practices without damaging valuable or fragile specimens.