Analysis of Early Iron Age (2500 BP) and modern period (150 BP) starch grains in Western Central Africa

Abstract

Starch grain analysis carried out on 23 ceramic sherds from 6 refuse pits from the site of Nachtigal in central Cameroon is shedding light on a longstanding debate regarding ancient diets in Central Africa during the Iron Age (IA, 2500 years BP) but also more recently during the Modern Period (ca. 150 BP). The results indicate a varied, but balanced diet, consisting of cereals, legumes, oil-rich seeds, and tubers; the latter being very rarely documented in the region. Moreover, we underscore the presence of taxa still consumed today, or in recent times. Rescue archaeology, and the application of specialized methodologies, are critical to better nuancing past dietary practices in this region.

Fatty Acids and Starch Identification within Minute Archaeological Fragments: Qualitative Investigation for Assessing Feasibility

“…This analysis revealed characteristic traits, encompassing morphological deformities leading to the formation of striations, various forms of fissures, and diminished birefringence under polarized light. These findings parallel the typical outcomes observed in archaeological starch extractions, as evidenced in previous studies such as Cagnato et al (2022); Kovárník and Beneš (2018) and Mickleburgh and Pagán-Jiménez (2012) [75][76][77]. These alterations predominantly arise from the process of gelatinization, which starch undergoes upon interacting with water at varying temperatures.…”