Data on Organic Residue Analysis of European Neolithic Pottery (7000-4000 BCE)

Description

A sedentary lifestyle, the development of agriculture, and the production of ceramic vessels represent key aspects of the transition to farming, which initiated a new era of human civilization. This fundamental shift in history not only transformed subsistence strategies but also provoked profound changes in dietary habits, the nutritional value of food, and social structures. Pottery, as a significant source of information about past societies, plays a crucial role in reconstructing these processes. Over the last quarter-century, its study has experienced a remarkable scientific boom, particularly due to the analysis of organic residues preserved in the porous material of ceramic vessels. This method has become an indispensable component of archaeological research, providing crucial data on dietary practices, the origins of consumed foods, and the technologies used for their preparation. The recent increase of published studies and lipid-analyzed ceramic vessels now requires a compilation of data, enabling further study of cooking practices This dataset includes 2,038 lipid-analyzed samples from 99 archaeological sites across Europe and the Near East, dating from 7000 to 4000 BCE.

Steps to reproduce

This dataset was compiled through a systematic review of published literature on lipid analyses of pottery from the Near East to the European continent, covering the period from 7000 to 4000 BC. The data collection focused on acquiring key archaeological and analytical information, including: Site details: Site name, country, and GPS coordinates. Contextual information: Archaeological context, relative and absolute chronology. Ceramic vessel data: Vessel type. Lipid analysis results: Major lipid compounds, compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis and their interpretation. To reproduce this dataset, researchers should conduct a systematic review of published research following similar selection criteria, ensuring consistency in extracted variables and critically assessing the completeness of the published data.

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