Cooking in Pestenacker – Evidence from Organic Residues in Vessels from one Household in a Late Neolithic Wetland Settlement in Bavaria (3496-3410 BC)

Abstract

Cooking in Pestenacker – Evidence from Organic Residues in Vessels from one Household in a Late Neolithic Wetland Settlement in Bavaria (3496-3410 BC)

The combined botanical and chemical study of a series of organic residue on funnel pots and lug vessels excavated in one household in the late Neolithic wetland settlement of Pestenacker, resulted in the identification of how the vessels were used, and in the determination of different activity areas within the building of House 1. Three groups of residues could be identified. Lug vessels contained mildly charred residues, possibly originating from ruminant milk or milk products. Funnel pots contained severely charred mixed foodstuffs sometimes including emmer, possibly originating from a porridge rich in starch with some added dairy or meat. In several cases funnel pots were repaired using birch bark tar. The study of the distribution of the vessels with residues inside House 1, made it possible to identify a living / sleeping area and a cooking area each with different kinds of residues representing different tasks.