A pottery biography: considering the entire lifecycle of a pot in organic residue analysis

Abstract

Over the past thirty years, the study of the exploitation of natural substances by ancient societies has been a major focus of organic residue analysis in ceramics. However, the mechanisms controlling the absorption and preservation of organic matter within the walls of pottery at all stages of a vessel’s lifecycle are still very poorly understood. Organic and mineral composition of the paste, surface treatments, porosity, environmental conditions of disposal of the vessel are likely to influence the organic signal preserved over time. Storage conditions of the archaeological material can also affect the preservation of organic matter after excavation. Recent studies are beginning to address these issues, and the first results are already refining the interpretations of organic residue analysis and opening up new fields of investigation, particularly with regard to the study of the ceramic manufacturing chaine operatoire, burial environments and potential contamination.