INTRODUCTION

　　The scientific investigation of cultural heritage objects is the only access to knowledge about long-gone, ancient societies and their cultural, technological as well as their social stage of development. In addition, the materials used by our ancestors, e.g. their textiles and the organic dyestuff to colorize these materials, allow researchers to draw some conclusions about cultural exchanges and trading routes. But in-depth knowledge about materials and dyestuff is also of highest importance for proper conservation and restauration of these materials. Specimens, however, are rare and available only in minute amounts. For their investigation preferentially non-destructive or at least minimal invasive methods have to be used.

　　A direct analysis using the Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (ASAP®) on the expression compact mass spectrometry (CMS) technique offers a minimally invasive method allowing for a rapid and direct sampling without any sample preparation prior to analysis.