A new approach for isolating organic residues in prehistoric pottery,

A new approach for isolating organic residues in prehistoric pottery, and implications for the study of agricultural and herding practices originating

Conference Paper

A new approach for isolating organic residues in prehistoric pottery, and implications for the study of agricultural and herding practices originating

Michael W. Gregg

Abstract

This paper presents molecular and isotopic evidence of subsistence practices from 8 early agricultural villages and herding encampments in the Middle East. Absorbed organic residues were extracted from archaeological pottery fragments through use of a microwave-assisted liquid chromatography protocol initially developed for the isolation and concentration of free fatty acids in marine sediments. Isotopic analyses of C 16:0 and C 18:0 fatty acids surviving in these fragments has revealed ∂13C ratios consistent with those of modern fats of wild boar and domesticated sheep and goats pastured in the southern Levant and central Anatolia.