Laboratories

Bioarchaeology, the analysis of human and faunal skeletal remains provides vital insights into past disease, demography, conflict, and climate and environmental change. HCA at Edinburgh houses four human skeletal collections as well as a wide range of modern human, hominin, and primate casts. Additionally, we hold a large reference collection of animal bones. Our facilities include dedicated spaces (including laboratories) for collections-based research, and a large teaching laboratory, which is equipped with a wide range of osteology tools, including a range of microscopes, identification atlases, callipers, and osteometric boards. Our fully-equipped laboratory spaces include facilities for 3D scanning of osteological remains, multiple areas for laying out full human skeletons.

Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh leads development in, and application of, state-of-the-art methods and analytical techniques, with particular expertise in biogeochemical stable isotope analysis. In our specialist laboratory facilities, we can carry out collagen extraction from human and animal bones and teeth for light stable isotope and radiocarbon analysis, and the pre-treatment and sampling of enamel for light and heavy stable isotope analysis. Our laboratory spaces are equipped with a precision balance, fume hoods, a milli-Q water purification system, freeze drier, centrifuges and microfuges, and a muffle furnace.

We have a dedicated space for the post-excavation processing of archaeological soils and other sediments, and the cleaning of artefacts and osteological remains. Our equipment includes wet sieving and flotation facilities, including an extensive array of sieve sets, and sediment traps to enable bulk processing of soils/sediments.

We routinely undertake X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses to determine the elemental composition of soils, ceramics, and bone, to provide precise insights into post-depositional processes and geochemical alteration of archaeological materials, land use, and to determine raw material sources.

We have a dedicated space equipped for thin sectioning, and offer high-quality sample preparation for ceramics, shell, and human hard tissue (bone and teeth) thin sections, as well as all downstream analysis and interpretation of these thin sections. 

Our facilities include a large suite of microscopes including stereo or ‘dissecting’ microscopes, as well as transmitted light and polarized light microscopes, which are used in the analysis of artefacts, environmental remains (including plant and palynological samples), and soil micromorphology. 

We have in-house 3D scanning and printing capabilities, enabling the digital capture and physical replication of artefacts and other archaeological materials and remains. This technology opens up extensive opportunities for research, documentation, and long-term information retention, while supporting responsible curation and the ethical preservation of archaeological material and skeletal remains.

Archaeology is part of a University-wide interdisciplinary research environment with strong partnerships that expand our technical and analytical capabilities. These collaborations provide access to advanced instrumentation, including micro-CT (μCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). enabling research that spans from excavation to microscopic and molecular analysis.

Our networks extend beyond the University through close links with National Museums Scotland and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, connecting our work to nationally significant collections and world-leading scientific facilities.