Includes a discussion of solution chemistry, leading to the preparation of analytical standards for chemical analysis. It explains the calculation of errors in calibration procedures and the use of quality assurance procedures more generally.

Chapter 4 describes the appearance of plant and animal domesticates on the plateau, such as millet, sheep, goat, and horse. Models for the appearance of these domesticates are evaluated. Mortuary evidence is discussed, and its articulation with emerging identities considered.

Discusses the use of techniques based on the absorption of visible and near-visible light to identify the molecular species present in the sample. These techniques are also known as vibrational spectroscopy, since they involve the interaction of electromagnetic radiation around the visible wavelengths with the molecular bonding orbitals of the sample.

Chapter 1 describes the Tibetan plateau in terms of its geography, ecology, modern subsistence systems, its climate and its changes through time, and, importantly, its linguistic diversity.

Chapter 6 explores the emergence of social inequality, prestige, and status through the lens of mortuary data from sites on the eastern plateau. Here, status and prestige appear to be based upon access to long-distance trade and the acquisition of weapons and costly exotic goods.

Gives a brief history of analytical chemistry, followed by a consideration of the special issues posed by the analysis of archaeological material. It also emphasizes the importance of quality assurance in analytical chemistry.

Gives the principles of inductively coupled plasma-spectrometry in all its various configurations – analysis of samples in solution and the solid state (via laser ablation) as well as optical and mass spectrometric detection. ICP techniques have become the industry standard following the decline of neutron activation analysis and are now routinely used in archaeology.

Introduces the technique of chromatography – the separation of molecules in a sample by passing it through a ‘sticky’ stationary phase – including liquid and gas chromatography with detection by conventional and various mass spectrometric techniques. Gives an introduction to organic residue analysis on visible and invisible residues in ceramics and, more recently, metals.

Introduces the structure of the atom (Bohr–Rutherford model) and shows how the electronic configuration of the atoms leads to the construction of the Periodic Table. It also discusses isotopes and natural radioactivity.

Introduces the electromagnetic spectrum and shows how different parts of it interact with solid materials. It includes a derivation of Beer’s law which allows the quantification of analytical measurements. It concludes with a discussion of synchrotron radiation, which provides highly collimated high intensity electromagnetic radiation across all wavelengths.