For 15 years, the University of Idaho has conducted chemical testing of excavated materials from historical sites throughout North America. The most common artifacts tested are sealed containers. Some come from current excavations, but most are from repository shelves. The immediate purpose of the archaeochemistry work is twofold: to identify the contents of the containers for researchers and to provide training for students in analytical chemistry. After testing more than 500 items, project personnel have recognized some unexpected outcomes that have implications for institutions housing the artifacts. Specifically, tested materials identified the small, yet consistent, presence of certain artifacts that can have health implications for personnel working with the items. The article concludes with general guidance on identifying and assessing those risks.

15 年来，爱达荷大学对北美各地历史遗址的出土材料进行了化学测试。最常见的测试工件是密封容器。有些来自当前的挖掘，但大多数来自储存库的架子。考古化学工作的直接目的有两个：为研究人员识别容器中的内容物，并为学生提供分析化学培训。在测试了 500 多个项目后，项目人员发现了一些意想不到的结果，这些结果对存放文物的机构产生了影响。具体来说，经过测试的材料发现了某些小而一致的人工制品的存在，这些人工制品可能会对处理这些物品的人员产生健康影响。本文最后提供了识别和评估这些风险的一般指导。