Organic Analysis of Charred Residues on the Pottery in the Proto-Three Kingdom from Joong-do Site, Chuncheon

Abstract

We studied for the chemical characterizations of the charred residues obtained from the ancient potteries in the Proto-Three Kingdom period from archaeological sites in Joong-do, Chuncheon. Organic components of the charred residues were extracted and analysed using mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. Lipid profiles from these samples were not identified in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Bulk stable isotope analyses of charred residues was used to infer an average values of the foods prepared. The average carbon isotope values (δ 13 C) of the residues are -14.7±2.8‰ (ranging from -8.7‰ to -18.4‰, n=9), and nitrogen isotope values (δ 15 N) are 6.2±1.1‰ (ranging from -4.4‰ to -7.6‰, n=9). This is the first approach to analyse charred residues using stable isotopic method in Korea. Charred food residues on the interior surface of archaeological pottery can provide valuable information about pottery use and dietary habits of its population.