Session: #761

Content:

The field of ceramic organic residue analysis has journeyed from the study of a handful of potsherds without proper knowledge of how and why lipids survived, to the establishment of large research projects focused on studying vessel usage across geographical regions in different periods of time. Today, we can draw on trends observed after hundreds of samples have been compared with reference materials, and results have been replicated in experimental studies. But, after almost 10,000 samples have been published since the development of this analytical technique, how have archaeologists integrated these results into their contexts, sites and wider historical interpretations?
This round-table aims at bringing together archaeologists to discuss and share, amongst others, the different strategies and approaches used to incorporate the identification and characterisation of ancient lipids into the interpretation of archaeological contexts (domestic spaces, burials and other ritual spaces, etc.) as well as the position pottery had in different prehistoric production activities and the acquisition of chronological data. By tailoring archaeologically specific questions with the possibilities offered by the analysis of the organic matter preserved in pottery, the session is expected to survey the value of studying ancient lipids using their natural origin and going beyond.
Brief presentations of concise analytical strategies or small case studies on the round table topic will be followed by a large discussion on both the wider significance of the presented ideas and their implications and the best strategies to implement such approaches in future archaeological research.

Session: #761

Theme & Session Format

Title & Content

Organisers