Regional diversity in subsistence among early farmers in Southeast Europe revealed by archaeological organic residues

Abstract

The spread of early farming across Europe from its origins in Southwest Asia was a culturally transformative process which took place over millennia. Within regions, the pace of the transition was probably related to the particular climatic and environmental conditions encountered, as well as the nature of localized hunter–gatherer and farmer interactions. The establishment of farming in the interior of the Balkans represents the first movement of Southwest Asian livestock beyond their natural climatic range, and widespread evidence now exists for early pottery being used extensively for dairying. However, pottery lipid residues from sites in the Iron Gates region of the Danube in the northern Balkans show that here, Neolithic pottery was being used predominantly for processing aquatic resources. This stands out not only within the surrounding region but also contrasts markedly with Neolithic pottery use across wider Europe. These findings provide evidence for the strategic diversity within the wider cultural and economic practices during the Neolithic, with this exceptional environmental and cultural setting offering alternative opportunities despite the dominance of farming in the wider region.

First lipid residue analysis of Early Neolithic pottery from Swifterbant (the Netherlands, ca. 4300–4000 BC)

“…We conclude that while there is a bias against the identification of plant foods through lipid residue analysis, carcass fats from pigs and cattle should be readily identifiable, and therefore, pigs and cattle must have been processed and cooked in different ways. Significantly, we found no evidence for dairy products which are readily identifiable in prehistoric pottery from other sites in Northern and other areas of Europe (Craig et al 2011;Cramp et al 2019;Heron et al 2015). The use of pottery vessels was instead focused on processing freshwater fish which were selected from a much wider range of animal resources available.…”

“…The absence of ruminant fats and dairy products in the Swifterbant pottery is quite clear and in sharp contrast to European Neolithic pottery, where these products are readily detected (e.g. Cramp et al 2019). While it may be that any differences are only manifest in the use of plant foods which are difficult to detect through lipid analysis, it may also be a true reflection of homogeneity in Swifterbant pottery use.…”

“…3b). It should be noted that even a minor contribution of ruminant fat would be expected to be detected given there is a strong bias against aquatic oils when mixed with ruminant fats due to the differences fatty acid concentration between these products (Cramp et al 2019).…”

Production and function of Neolithic black-painted pottery from Schela Cladovei (Iron Gates, Romania)

“…[ Organic residue analyses Potsherds from Schela Cladovei were previously investigated by organic residue analyses (Craig et al 2005;Cramp et al 2019). New organic residue analyses have been carried out on 11 samples, also analysed with other scientific approaches (Table 1) to have all the mineralogical, chemical (inorganic and organic) and isotopic information of the vessels.…”

“…1) and the river bank. Organic residue analyses have been performed on sherds from several early Neolithic pit features in this area (Cramp et al 2019).…”