Determination of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and their mode of origin, in urban soils from Leeds (UK)
Hamed, Heiam A. Mohamed; Hale, William H.G.; Stern, Ben (2018)
Dr. Benjamin Stern
Assistant Professor
- Area
- School of Archaeological & Forensic Sci
- Faculty of Life Sciences
- Phone
Biography
Ben is an Assistant professor in Archaeological Sciences. Ben’s role is divided between Archaeology, Forensics, Chemistry and the Analytical Centre.
Research
Bens research falls at the interface between analytical chemistry and archaeology. He is interested in the identification of the ‘archaeologically invisible’ by the correct application of analytical techniques. Some techniques are now fairly routine (such as Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC, GC-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and stable light isotopic ratios (Isotope Ratio-MS)), although these techniques may have not been applied to novel materials. Some are new (e.g. High Performance Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry, HPLC-MS), but all require careful application due to problems of small sample size, contamination, complex mixtures, degradation and the reliability of the biomarker approach. Further details and some case studies. Archaeologically the aims are to find direct molecular, trace element and isotopic evidence for the identification and use of archaeological materials including ceramic vessels, traded goods and soils (in combination with conventional archaeological evidence). Related areas of interest include the analysis of modern natural products their degradation and preservation.
Publications
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Red Lustrous Wheelmade ware: analysis of organic residues in Late Bronze Age trade and storage vessels from the eastern Mediterranean
Steele, Valerie J.; Stern, Ben (2017) Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 16, 614-657.
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Organic residue analysis of Egyptian votive mummies and their research potential
Brettell R.;Martin W.;Atherton-Woolham S.;Stern B.;McKnight L. (2017) Studies in Conservation. 62, 68-82.
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Organic residue analysis of Egyptian votive mummies and their research potential
Brettell, Rhea C.; Martin, William H.C.; Atherton-Woolham, S.; Stern, Ben; McKnight, L. (2016)
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'Choicest unguents': Molecular evidence for the use of resinous plant exudates in late Roman mortuary rites in Britain
Brettell R.;Schotsmans E.;Walton Rogers P.;Reifarth N.;Redfern R.;Stern B.;Heron C. (2015) Journal of Archaeological Science. 53, 639-648.
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‘Choicest unguents’: molecular evidence for the use of resinous plant exudates in late Roman mortuary rites in Britain
Brettell, Rhea C.; Schotsmans, Eline M.J.; Walton Rogers, P.; Reifarth, N.; Redfern, R.C.; Stern, Ben; Heron, Carl P. (2015)
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The 'semblance of immortality'? Resinous materials and mortuary rites in Roman Britain
Brettell, Rhea C.; Stern, Ben; Reifarth, N.; Heron, Carl P. (2014)
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Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Fatty Acids of Buddleja asiatica by GC-MS
Ali, F.; Ali, I.; Bibi, H.; Malik, A.; Stern, Ben; Maitland, Derek J. (2013)
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PET bottle use patterns and antimony migration into bottled water and soft drinks: The case of British and Nigerian bottles
Tukur A.;Sharp L.;Stern B.;Tizaoui C.;Benkreira H. (2012) Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 14, 1237-1247.
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A study of 18th century Coptic icons of Ibrahim Al-Nasekh using Raman microscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: Indigo as an organic pigment in Egyptian panel paintings
Abdel-Ghani M.;Stern B.;Edwards H.;Janaway R. (2012) Vibrational Spectroscopy. 62, 98-109.
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Beeswax preserved in a Late Chalcolithic Bevelled Rim bowl from the Tehran Plain, Iran
Mayyas, A.; Stern, Ben; Gillmore, Gavin; Coningham, Robin A.E.; Fazeli Nashli, H. (2012)
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The Identity of the St Bees Lady, Cumbria: An Osteobiographical Approach
Knüsel, Christopher J.; Batt, Catherine M.; Cook, G.; Montgomery, Janet; Müldner, G.; Ogden, Alan R.; Palmer, C.; Stern, Ben; Todd, J.; Wilson, Andrew S. (2010)
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Application of lipid biomarker analysis to evaluate the function of "slab-lined pits" in Arctic Norway
Heron, Carl P.; Nilsen, G.; Stern, Ben; Craig, O.E.; Nordby, C.C. (2010)
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Olive oil or lard? Distinguishing plant oils from animal fats in the archaeological record of the eastern Mediterranean using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Steele, Valerie J.; Stern, Ben; Stott, A.W. (2010) Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 24, 3478-3484.
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Gas chromatographic, mass spectrometric and stable carbon isotope investigations of organic residues in `slab-lined pits' from Arctic Norway
Heron, Carl P.; Nilsen, G.; Stern, Ben; Craig, O.E.; Nordby, C.C. (2010)
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Trace element concentrations in mangrove sediments in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh
Awal, M.A.; Hale, William H.G.; Stern, Ben (2009)
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Characterization of paint and varnish on a medieval Coptic-Byzantine icon: Novel usage of dammar resin?
Abdel-Ghani, Mona H.; Edwards, Howell G.M.; Stern, Ben; Janaway, Robert C. (2009) SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A: MOLECULAR & BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY. 73
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Characterization of paint and varnish on a medieval Coptic-Byzantine icon: Novel usage of dammar resin
Abdel-Ghani M.;Edwards H.;Stern B.;Janaway R. (2009) Spectrochimica Acta - Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. 73, 566-575.
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Analysis of three putative birch bark tar samples from Melkøya, Arctic Norway
Stern, Ben; Heron, Carl P.; Clelland, Sarah-Jane; Nordby, C.C. (2009)
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Waking the dead: Scientific analysis of an Egyptian tunic.
Haldane, E.A.; Gillies, Sara; O'Connor, Sonia A.; Batt, Catherine M.; Stern, Ben (2009)
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Neolithic zoomorphic vessels from Eastern Macedonia, Greece: Issues of function
Marangou, C.; Stern, Ben (2009)
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Analysis of yellow "fat" deposits on Inuit boots
Edwards, Howell G.M.; Stern, Ben; Burgio, L.; Kite, M. (2009)
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Bulk stable light isotopic ratios in recent and archaeological resins: Towards detecting the transport of resins in antiquity?
Stern B.;Lampert Moore C.;Heron C.;Pollard A. (2008) Archaeometry. 50, 351-370.
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A Raman microscopic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric study of two 19th century overlapping Coptic icons of Anastasy Al-Romi
Abdel-Ghani M.;Edwards H.;Janaway R.;Stern B. (2008) Vibrational Spectroscopy. 48, 69-75.
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From Susa to Anuradhapura: Reconstructing aspects of trade and exchange in bitumen-coated ceramic vessels between Iran and Sri Lanka from the Third to the Ninth Centuries AD.
Stern, Ben; Connan, J.; Blakelock, Eleanor S.; Jackman, R.; Coningham, Robin A.E.; Heron, Carl P. (2008)
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New investigations into the Uluburun resin cargo
Stern, Ben; Heron, Carl P.; Tellefsen, T.; Serpico, M. (2008)
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The application of LA-ICP-MS in the examination of the thin plating layers found in late Roman coins
Vlachou-Mogire C.;Stern B.;McDonnell J. (2007) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. 265, 558-568.
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Stable isotope and DNA evidence for ritual sequences in Inca child sacrifice
Wilson, Andrew S.; Ceruti, M.C.; Chavez, J.A.; Taylor, Timothy F.; Stern, Ben (2007)
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Molecular and isotopic demonstration of the processing of aquatic products in northern European prehistoric pottery
Craig, O.E.; Forster, M.; Andersen, S.H.; Koch, E.; Crombé, P.; Milner, N.J.; Stern, Ben; Bailey, G.N.; Heron, Carl P. (2007)
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Molecular and isotopic demonstration of the processing of acquatic products in Northern European prehistoric pottery
Craig O.;Forster M.;Andersen S.;Koch E.;Crombé P.;Milner N.;Stern B.;Bailey G.;Heron C. (2007) Archaeometry. 49, 135-152.
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Combined FT-Raman spectroscopic and mass spectrometric study of ancient Egyptian sarcophagal fragments
Edwards H.;Stern B.;Villar S.;David A. (2007) Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 387, 829-836.
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Bulk stable light isotopic ratios in archaeological birch bark tars
Stern B.;Clelland S.;Nordby C.;Urem-Kotsou D. (2006) Applied Geochemistry. 21, 1668-1673.
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Desert roads and transport vessels from Late Roman-Coptic times in the Eastern Sahara
Eichhorn B.;Hendrickx S.;Riemer H.;Stern B. (2005) Journal of African Archaeology. 3, 213-229.
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The circulation and consumption of Red Lustrous Wheelmade Ware: petrographic, chemical and residue analysis
Knappett, C.; Kilikoglou, V.; Steele, Valerie J.; Stern, Ben (2005) Anatolian Studies. 55, 25-59.
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A geochemical investigation of the origin of rouletted and other related South Asian fine wares
Ford L.;Pollard A.;Coningham R.;Stern B. (2005) Antiquity. 79, 909-920.
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Dating resin coating on pottery: The Spirit Cave early ceramic dates revised
Lampert C.;Glover I.;Hedges R.;Heron C.;Higham T.;Stern B.;Shoocongdej R.;Thompson G. (2003) Antiquity. 77, 126-133.
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Compositional variation in aged and heated Pistacia resin found in Late Bronze Age Canaanite amphorae and bowls from Amarna, Egypt
Heron, Carl P.; Corr, L.; Serpico, M.; Stern, Ben; Bourriou, J. (2003)
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Compositional variations in aged and heated pistacia resin found in late bronze age canaanite amphorae and bowls from Amarna, Egypt
Stern B.;Heron C.;Corr L.;Serpico M.;Bourriau J. (2003) Archaeometry. 45, 457-469.
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Birch-bark tar at Neolithic Makriyalos, Greece
Urem-Kotsou D.;Stern B.;Heron C.;Kotsakis K. (2002) Antiquity. 76, 962-967.
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Yesterday's hair--human hair in archaeology
Wilson, Andrew S.; Dixon, Ronald A.; Dodson, Hilary I.; Janaway, Robert C.; Pollard, A. Mark; Stern, Ben; Tobin, Desmond J. (2001) Biologist. 48
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A comparison of methods for establishing fatty acid concentration gradients across potsherds: A case study using Late Bronze Age Canaanite amphorae
Stern B.;Heron C.;Serpico M.;Bourriau J. (2000) Archaeometry. 42, 399-414.