Keith Malcolm Prufer
Department of Anthropology - University of New Mexico

RESEARCH LAB

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PUBLICATIONS &
PRESENTATIONS

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CURRENT PROJECTS

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COURSES

You can find my research lab in the Center for Stable Isotopes in the newly build UNM interdisciplinary Science Coop in the PAIS building.   


The lab is set up for advanced archaeological chemistry.  Standard laboratory equipment includes a new fume hood, Millipure water purifier, drying oven, muffle furnace, balances, dissecting and mineralogical microscopes, Hettich Rotofix centrifuge, and general lab supplies, magnetic stirrer, two micromills (one CNC).  We also have an international USDA/APHIS permit for importing soils from around the world to our other lab space in Anthropology Room 144.

This lab is equipped for preparation of samples for isotope sample preparation and radiocarbon to graphite, including ABA methods for charcoal and organics; Ultrafiltration and XAD for archaeological bone, and pretreatments of soil samples for isotope measurements, including radiocarbon. Radiocarbon work centers around purifying and concentrating hard to measure sample materials such as bone from the tropics. We also have experience with removal of conservation treatments like shellac or other polymers for isotopes and dating. We convert treated sample materials to CO2 gas then convert CO2 to graphite using a Bosch reaction under H2 gas for measurement on an AMS.  


Other capabilities include a Bruker Tracer S5 Portable XRF for elemental analysis of a wide range of materials and a Thermo Scientific Nicolet Summit FTIR.   

The Dry lab in ANTH 142 also houses artifact storage and GIS workstations running ESRI.

CSI operates as a cost center.  If you are interested in having samples analyzed for  routine isotopes or radiocarbon dating contact us and see our website at Center for Stable Isotopes