Abstract
This study explores the utility of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of bone collagen for investigating prehistoric cooking. Approaches to cooking practices have relied principally on artefactual evidence, macroscopic bone modification, and organic residue analysis. However, direct evidence for cooking of bone has been limited. Richter and Koon successfully applied TEM analysis of collagen to determine heating to modern and medieval bones, but this method has yet to be experimentally tested using prehistoric remains. Collagen will denature at relatively low temperatures, such as during roasting, boiling, or baking. The denaturation of collagen causes predictable structural changes that can be viewed through TEM. Zooarchaeological remains of sheep and pig with minimal taphonomic modifications were analysed from four later prehistoric (c. 800–500BC) sites in Britain (n = 33). Humeri and phalanges were selected to compare elements with high and low meat yields. Samples were classified into ‘Heated’ and ‘Unheated’ groups consistent with previous studies, and variable patterns were observed between different sites and taxa. Analytical limitations have hindered the study of cooking in the past, but this study demonstrates the potential of this taphonomic method for exploring prehistoric cooking practices and provides a springboard for wider studies.
Highlights
The overarching aim of this study is to extend previous transmission electron microscopy (TEM) research to explore its validity on prehistoric material and, if possible, to investigate the nature of cooking at these transitional feasting sites
Different elements were selected because it was hypothesised that short bones were less likely to be cooked, given their smaller nutritional yield meaning they are often discarded as butchery waste when optimal exploitation is not required
This study demonstrates the potential for TEM analysis to enhance understanding of prehistoric cooking practices
Summary
The overarching aim of this study is to extend previous TEM research to explore its validity on prehistoric material and, if possible, to investigate the nature of cooking at these transitional feasting sites. Investigate the utility of this method for examining cooking at prehistoric sites and whether different approaches to analysis are required to account for naturally more degraded samples of greater age. Explore patterns of cooking at later prehistoric feasting sites on this limited sample. Discuss the practicalities and limitations of the method’s application to archaeological material and make suggestions for future work Assess inter-observer reliability. Explore patterns of cooking at later prehistoric feasting sites on this limited sample. Discuss the practicalities and limitations of the method’s application to archaeological material and make suggestions for future work
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