Abstract
In this study, a soil from two ceramic vessels belonging to Corded Ware culture, 2707–2571 B.C., found in a cremation grave discovered in Central Moravia, Czech Republic, was analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry (MALDI–MS) combined with advanced statistical treatment (principal component analysis, PCA, and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis, OPLS-DA) and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MALDI–MS revealed the presence of triacylglycerols in both vessels. This analytical technique was used for the analysis of the soil content from archaeological ceramic vessels for the first time. Targeted ELISA experiments consequently proved the presence of milk proteins in both ceramic vessels. These results represent the first direct evidence of the use of milk or dairy products in the Eneolithic period in Moravian Corded Ware Culture and help to better understand the diet habits and living conditions of Eneolithic populations in Central Europe.
Highlights
The analysis of human cremations from archaeological burials is a very important part of archaeological research that provides valuable information for a better understanding of former populations’ habits
The soil extracts were analyzed by MALDI–MS, and the raw data were transferred to a statistical software and studied by principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA)
The soil samples from the 4th and 5th layers of both ceramic vessels were located in separated clades
Summary
The analysis of human cremations from archaeological burials is a very important part of archaeological research that provides valuable information for a better understanding of former populations’ habits. This research is difficult in general, especially because of a high level of bone fragmentation, size changes, thermal fractures and distortions, and possible artificial changes of bones related to burial rite habits [1,2,3,4]. In such a situation, explicit sex assessment, age estimation at death, population affinity, body size estimations, etc. Analysis of lipid residues present in ceramic vessels has already provided information about vessels’ usage and former content. Analysis of isotope ratios of individual fatty acids adsorbed in prehistoric and medieval ceramics using gas chromatography–combustion–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC–C–IRMS) appeared to be an effective tool for the identification of fat origin [5,6]
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