A combination of micro-analytical techniques, including thin layer chr
omatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), and combined gas chromatog
raphy/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was employed to study the lipid compo
sition of an adhesive used to repair an Econ ware jar, recovered from
Roman sediments of the River Nene as West Cotton (Raunds, Northamptons
hire, U.K.). GC of the total lipid extract of the adhesive showed a co
mplex pattern which was difficult to interpret. TLC was used to fracti
onate the extract. The fractions were then trimethylsiylated and submi
tted to GC and GC/MS. Betulin, lupeol, lupenone, allobetul-2-ene, and
several other pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds were shown to be pres
ent in the ancient material. The similarities between the lipid compos
itions of the adhesive and of contemporary birch tar and a birch bark
total lipid extract led to the conclusion that the adhesive was derive
d largely from birch bark, thus providing the first firm evidence for
the use of birch bark tar in ancient Britain.