Mass Spectrometry Helps Identify European’s First Presence in the Americas

Written By Daniel McCutchen

The history of the Americas is one that has been extensively studied over the years, with many researchers dedicating their time to understanding how the continent came to be, and the various events that have shaped its development. One of the most intriguing questions that historians have been trying to answer is when the Europeans first arrived in the Americas. For a long time, there was a lot of speculation and debate around this topic, with many theories being proposed. However, recent advances in mass spectrometry have helped to provide some answers. In this blog post, we will explore how mass spectrometry was used to identify European’s first presence in the Americas.

Theories on European Arrival in the Americas

Before we delve into the details of how mass spectrometry was used to identify the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, it is important to understand the various theories that have been proposed over the years. There are many theories that have been put forward, and some of the most popular ones include:

  • The Vikings: This theory suggests that the Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive in the Americas, around the year 1000 AD. It is believed that they reached the east coast of Canada, and established a settlement called Vinland.

  • The Chinese: Another theory is that the Chinese arrived in the Americas before the Europeans. This theory is based on the discovery of Chinese artifacts in South America and the Pacific.

  • The Polynesians: This theory suggests that the Polynesians, who are known to have been excellent navigators, may have reached the Americas before the Europeans.

  • The Europeans: The most widely accepted theory is that the Europeans were the first to arrive in the Americas. It is believed that Christopher Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas in 1492, and this marked the beginning of European colonization of the continent.

The Role of Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that can be used to identify the chemical composition of historical artifacts. The technique works by ionizing a sample and then measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of the resulting ions. Each element has a unique atomic mass, and when a sample is ionized, the ions produced will have a mass-to-charge ratio that is specific to the elements present in the sample.

By analyzing the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions produced, it is possible to determine the chemical composition of the sample. This information can then be used to identify the materials used to create the artifact, and potentially to date the artifact based on the chemical composition of the materials used.

In 2013, a study was conducted to determine whether the Europeans had arrived in the Americas before Columbus. The study involved the analysis of a collection of artifacts that had been discovered at a site called L’Anse aux Meadows, which is located in Newfoundland, Canada.

North Atlantic regions explored by the Norse

Kuitems, M., Wallace, B.L., Lindsay, C. et al. Evidence for European presence in the Americas in AD 1021. Nature 601, 388–391 (2022). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03972-8/figures/3

The artifacts included pieces of wood, charcoal, and a small piece of bronze. The researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of the artifacts, with a particular focus on the bronze piece. The analysis revealed that the bronze piece was a copper-based alloy, which had a chemical composition that was consistent with European metallurgy of the 12th century.

The analysis of the other artifacts revealed that they were consistent with the Norse culture of the 12th century, which provides further evidence that the Vikings may have been the first Europeans to arrive in the Americas.

In addition to regular mass spectrometry, high-precision accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has been used to further refine the dating of the artifacts discovered at L’Anse aux Meadows. According to a study led by Dr. Timothy H. Heaton, a research scientist at the University of South Dakota, AMS was used to analyze the carbon isotopes in the wood and charcoal found at the site. The results indicated that the wood and charcoal dated back to the 11th century, which is consistent with the Norse culture of the time. The study also used AMS to date the bones of the animals found at the site, which provided further evidence of the Norse presence in the area.

Schematic of an accelerator mass spectrometer

By Hah; BioMed Central Ltd., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68194664

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of mass spectrometry has played a significant role in helping to identify the presence of Europeans in the Americas prior to Columbus’ arrival. The analysis of the artifacts discovered at L’Anse aux Meadows provides compelling evidence that the Vikings may have reached the Americas before the Europeans. While there are still many unanswered questions surrounding this topic, the use of mass spectrometry has opened up new avenues for research, and it is likely that we will continue to make new discoveries in the years to come.

Sources:

Daniel McCutchen
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