An Archaeologist's Guide to Organic Residues in Pottery / Eleanora A. Reber.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reber, Eleanora A., 1973- author.

Series:

Archaeology of food (Series)

Archaeology of Food Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Archaeological chemistry.

Organic compounds--Analysis.

Organic compounds.

Pottery, Ancient.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (225 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Tuscaloosa, Alabama : University of Alabama Press, [2022]

Summary:

"Organic residue analysis is a technical specialty that blends an unusual type of instrumental organic chemistry and archaeology. Because it is considered abstruse, archaeologists of all degrees of experience tend to struggle with how to apply the technology to archaeological questions and how to sample effectively in the field to answer these questions. "Organic Residues in Pottery" uses a case-study approach to explain the methods and application of organic residue analysis to archaeologists in a reader-friendly tone. The case studies come from Reber's more than twenty years of research. Pottery analysis is considered an important component of excavating a site. Organic pottery residues are made up of chemicals that absorb into pots over their use-lifetime. Analysis of the residues can allow fascinating interpretations of human behavior that are only recognizable from this analysis. The analysis allows archaeologists to interpret the ways that people have used pottery. For instance, pottery analysis can help reveal what people ate, whether different types of vessels were used for different cooking or foodstuffs preparation, and whether "elite" vessels were in use. Every residue comprises many different chemicals. Analysis includes a series of steps. Reber starts with basic information, such as how a residue forms in different environments. Other chapters discuss excavation of the residue (including extraction, instrumentation, and analysis), interpreting results, different contaminators, common substances found (e.g., caffeine and nicotine, maize, tree resins, and fish and shellfish), how to sample, how to talk with a lab analyst, and future benefits of residue analysis"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Organic Residues in Pottery and the Archaeologist

1. Residue Formation, Composition, and Preservation

2. Excavating the Residue: Extraction, Instrumentation, and Analysis

3. Residue Contamination: How to Detect and Avoid It

4. Alkaloids and Other Mind-Altering Substances

5. Plant Resins

6. Compound-Specific Isotopic Analysis: Detecting Maize and Isotopically Unique Resources in Residues

7. Fish and Shellfish Detection

8. Sample Size and Residue Analysis

9. The Big Picture

Glossary

References Cited

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780817393984

OCLC:

1321807469