Yes / Archaeological burial contexts may include a variety of white substances, but few analyses have been published. This study reports on the physico‐chemical characterization of such residues from seven archaeological sites. It is often assumed that white materials from burial contexts are lime. Our findings demonstrate that they can be gypsum, calcite (chalk), aragonite, brushite, degraded metal, natural (gum) resins or synthetic polymer–based products. These may be present as the result of diagenetic processes, funerary practices or modern contamination. This paper provides an analytical approach for the holistic investigation of white materials encountered in burial contexts. / Investments for the future’ (IdEx Bordeaux ANR‐10‐IDEX‐03‐02). Grant Number: ANR‐10‐IDEX‐03‐02; Collaborative Projects of the France‐Stanford Center for Interdisciplinary Studies; Collaborative Projects of the France–Stanford Center; French State. Grant Number: IdEx Bordeaux ANR‐10‐IDEX‐03‐02; Northern Archaeological Associates Ltd; PACEA; Wessex Archaeology; INRAP; Mersea Island Museum Trust; Vatican's Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology; University of Reading; IRAMAT-CRP2A; University of Bradford; CEREGE