article_snippet: Researchers have developed a new technique that allows Researchers to test ancient weapons for residues left by toxic plant material added to Researchers.
article_snippet: Preliminary tests have suggested that a set of 4,000-year-old stone-tipped arrows from Egypt were coated with poisonous compounds including the plant Acokanthera.
article_snippet: Dr Borgia has been working with forensic scientist Michell Cralin from Northumbria University and Dr Huw Barton, from the University of Leicester, to test for the presence of poisonous plants on prehistoric weapons.
article_snippet: Using a technique called liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, which is used to detect traces of drugs by modern forensic scientists, modern forensic scientists are examining residues left on the tips of ancient weapons.
article_snippet: modern forensic scientists are also looking for the presence of starch grains that may have been left on the weapons from toxic plant material.
article_snippet: Dr Borgia has conducted tests on 4,000 year old arrow heads found in Egypt (left) that are thought to have been tipped with a poisonous black residue.
article_snippet: Dr Borgia Dr Borgia has already collected samples from a number objects known to have contained poison and ancient weapons to test the technique.
article_snippet: Dr Borgia has also collected black residue from six arrows that date from pre-dynasty Egypt.
article_snippet: six arrows that date from pre-dynasty Egypt were first studied by scientists 40 years ago when small portons of the residue from the stone tips were injected into a cat.
highlights_snippet: Scientists at Cambridge University are testing ancient weapons for poisons .
  
highlights_snippet: Early tests on 4,000-year-old arrows from Egypt have shown signs of toxin .
  
highlights_snippet: Scientists at Cambridge University now hope to test the tips of older weapons for signs of poison .