Department of Anthropology
Bio
Research Interests
Dr. McGovern's research focuses on molecular archaeology, encompassing methods of chemical analysis such as radiocarbon dating, cesium magnetometer surveying, and colorant analysis of ancient glasses and pottery technology. Recently, he has focused in particular on organic analysis of vessel contents and dyes. While retired, Dr. McGovern invites interested students to volunteer in his on-going Biomolecular Archaeology Project or set up an appointment to discuss a project.
Selected Publications
2015 Charting a Future Course for Organic Residue Analysis in Archaeology. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, online DOI 10.1007/s10816-015-9253-z (with G. R. Hall).
2015 Volatile organic compounds released by enzymatic reactions in raw nonpareil almond kernel. European Food Research and Technology/Zeitschrift für Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung A, online DOI 10.1007/s00217-015-2463-5 (with Jae Kwak, Adam Faranda, Joshua M. Henkin, Michelle Gallagher, and George Preti).
2013 Patrick E. McGovern, Gretchen R. Hall, and Armen Mirzoian. A biomolecular archaeological approach to ‘Nordic grog.’ Danish Journal of Archaeology, online http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21662282.2013.867101.
2013 Patrick E. McGovern, Benjamin P. Luley, Nuria Rovira, Armen Mirzoian, Michael P. Callahan, Karen E. Smith, Gretchen R. Hall, Theodore Davidson, and Joshua M. Henkin. Beginning of Viniculture in France. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 3.
2010 Anticancer Activity of Botanical Compounds in Ancient Fermented Beverages. International Journal of Oncology 37(1), 5-21 (with M. Christofidou-Solomidou, W. Wang, F. Dukes, T. Davidson, and W.S. El-Deiry).
2009 Ancient Egyptian Herbal Wines. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106:18: 7361-7366 (with Armen Mirzoian and Gretchen R. Hall).
2007 Chemical and Archaeological Evidence for the Earliest Cacao Beverages. Cover article of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 104.48: 18937-40 (with John S. Henderson, Rosemary A. Joyce, Gretchen R. Hall, and W. Jeffery Hurst).
2006 Multiple origins of cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sativa) based on chloroplast DNA polymorphisms. Molecular Ecology 15: 3707-14 (with R. Arroyo-Garcia, et al.).
2006 Genetic characterization and relationships of traditional grape cultivars from Transcaucasia and Anatolia. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization & Utilization, 4.2: 144-58 (with J. F. Vouillamoz, A. Ergul, G. Söylemezoglu, G. Tevzadze, and M. S. Grando).
2005 Chemical Identification and Cultural Implications of a Mixed Fermented Beverage from Late Prehistoric China. Asian Perspectives 44: 249-75 (with A. P. Underhill, H. Fang, F. Luan, G. R. Hall, H. Yu, C.-s. Wang, F. Cai, Z. Zhao, and G. M. Feinman).
2005 A Chemical Analysis of the Longshan Culture Fermented Beverage Unearthed from the Liangchengzhen Site in Rizhao City, Shandong: Also on the Cultural Significance of Fermented Beverages in Prehistoric Times. Kaogu (with A. P. Underhill, H. Fang, F. Luan, G. R. Hall, H. Yu, C.-s. Wang, F. Cai, Z. Zhao, and G. M. Feinman) [Chinese]
2005 Archaeochemistry and Ancient Chinese Fermented Beverages. Expedition 47.1 (Spring): 43.