Characterisation of traditionally kiln produced pine tar by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Pine tar samples from each out of six, successively filled barrels from a traditionally accomplished, yet temperature monitored, kiln production have been characterised by combined gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The relative abundance of resin- and fatty acids correlated in a distinctive way to the temperature development within the kiln, which made it possible to identify from which barrel each sampled originated. The pine tar samples were according to an at least 300 years old tarring practice of Medieval Stave churches, subsequently seethed in a cast iron pan and again characterised by GC-MS. The characteristics of the initial samples were still evident after heating to 180-190degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.