Betulin-related esters from birch bark tar: Identification, origin and archaeological significance

Birch bark tar, an organic material frequently encountered during archaeological excavations, has been identified from its lipid composition on the cracks of a ceramic dated to the late Neolithic. Lipids of this black substance were dominated by a characteristic triterpenoid assemblage of lupane-related triterpenoids from birch bark together with their thermal degradation products formed during preparation of the tar. Among the latter, four main series of unusual triterpenoid esters have been detected and were postulated to correspond to esters of Delta2-betulin and Delta2-dihydrobetulin based on their mass spectra and hydrolysis experiments. Their conclusive identification has been achieved by synthesis of reference compounds. These compounds most likely originate from the esterification between triterpenoid alcohols related to betulin and fatty acids from suberin formed upon heating of birch bark tar. They could be considered as markers of intense heating during birch bark tar preparation using the “single pot“ procedure

What’s on the menu? An experimental approach to the functional study of Neolithic pottery

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Function of sites, function of ceramics : use-wear study of ceramics and food practices of caves, plateaus and lowlands of the South of France during the late Neolithic (3600-2300 cal BC)

Etude des traces d'utilisation des céramiques du Néolithique final du Languedoc et des régions limitrophes (Ardèche et Bouches-du-Rhône) en contexte de grotte, de site de plein air de plateau et de plaine.Use-wear analysis of Late Neolithic potteries of the Languedoc and neighbouring regions (Ardèche and Bouches-du-Rhône), in caves and in open field contexts of lowland and plateaus

Fonction des sites, fonction des céramiques. Étude tracéologique des céramiques et pratiques alimentaires des sites de grottes, plateaux et plaines du Sud de la France au Néolithique final (3600-2300 av. n.-è.)

This research focuses on the functional characterisation of ceramic assemblages in the Late Neolithic (about 3600-2300 BC) in eastern Languedoc and its margins (Ardèche and Bouches-du-Rhône). The Late Neolithic of eastern Languedoc and its bordering regions covers a diversity of stepped landscapes made up of plains, scrubland and the Causses and Cévennes. The karstic contexts notably have the particularity of lacking water on the surface. The Neolithic people made up for this by exploiting cave water. This work focuses on several types of site: caves, habitat structures as well as storage and transformation structures on plateaus and plains. As part of this research work, we sought to characterize the food practices of these societies, within contexts offering very different resources. It is through an integrated approach applied to ceramics, including both morpho- and techno-functional studies, use-wearand of organic residues analysis, that we have attempted to answer these questions, as well as by constructing a substantial experimental reference collection using and data from ethnographic studies. The results obtained are both methodological and cultural. On the one hand, this thesis contributes to the understanding of the formation of traces by a complete experimental reference collection taking into account the nature of the surface treatment as well as the degradation of the traces during post-depositional processes. It also offers a study method adapted to all karstic contexts. On the other hand, this thesis participates in the study of the function of sites and more generally of the activities related to food on each site. The issues of storage, water and food, but also their preservation, are central concepts of this research work.Ces recherches portent sur la caractérisation fonctionnelle des assemblages céramiques au Néolithique final (environ 3600-2300 av. n.-è.) en Languedoc oriental et ses marges (Ardèche et Bouches-du-Rhône). Le Néolithique final du Languedoc oriental et ses régions limitrophes couvre une diversité de paysages en escalier composés de plaines, de garrigues et des Causses et Cévennes. Les contextes karstiques notablement, ont la particularité de ne pratiquement pas offrir d’eau en surface. Les Néolithiques ont pallié ce manque en allant la chercher au sein des cavités. Ce travail se concentre sur plusieurs types de site : les grottes, les structures d’habitat ainsi que les structures de stockage et de transformation de plateaux et de plaines. Dans le cadre de ces travaux de recherches, nous avons cherché à caractériser les pratiques alimentaires de ces sociétés, au sein de contextes offrant des ressources très différentes. C’est par le biais d’une approche intégrée appliquée aux céramiques, incluant à la fois les études morpho- et technofonctionnelles, la tracéologie et les analyses de résidus organiques, que nous avons tenté de répondre à ces questions, ainsi qu’en construisant un référentiel expérimental conséquent et en mobilisant des données issues d’études ethnographiques. Les résultats obtenus sont à la fois méthodologiques et culturels. D’une part, cette thèse contribue à la compréhension de la formation des traces par un référentiel expérimental complet, celui-ci prenant en compte la nature du traitement de surface ainsi que la dégradation des traces lors des processus post-dépositionnels. Elle propose également une méthodologie d’étude adaptée à tous les contextes karstiques. D’autre part, cette thèse participe à l’étude de la fonction des sites et plus généralement des activités en lien avec l’alimentation sur chaque site. Les problématiques du stockage, de l’eau et des aliments, mais aussi de leur conservation, sont des notions centrales de ce travail de recherche

Fonction des sites, fonction des céramiques. Étude tracéologique des céramiques et pratiques alimentaires des sites de grottes, plateaux et plaines du Sud de la France au Néolithique final (3600-2300 av. n.-è.)

This research focuses on the functional characterisation of ceramic assemblages in the Late Neolithic (about 3600-2300 BC) in eastern Languedoc and its margins (Ardèche and Bouches-du-Rhône). The Late Neolithic of eastern Languedoc and its bordering regions covers a diversity of stepped landscapes made up of plains, scrubland and the Causses and Cévennes. The karstic contexts notably have the particularity of lacking water on the surface. The Neolithic people made up for this by exploiting cave water. This work focuses on several types of site: caves, habitat structures as well as storage and transformation structures on plateaus and plains. As part of this research work, we sought to characterize the food practices of these societies, within contexts offering very different resources. It is through an integrated approach applied to ceramics, including both morpho- and techno-functional studies, use-wearand of organic residues analysis, that we have attempted to answer these questions, as well as by constructing a substantial experimental reference collection using and data from ethnographic studies. The results obtained are both methodological and cultural. On the one hand, this thesis contributes to the understanding of the formation of traces by a complete experimental reference collection taking into account the nature of the surface treatment as well as the degradation of the traces during post-depositional processes. It also offers a study method adapted to all karstic contexts. On the other hand, this thesis participates in the study of the function of sites and more generally of the activities related to food on each site. The issues of storage, water and food, but also their preservation, are central concepts of this research work.Ces recherches portent sur la caractérisation fonctionnelle des assemblages céramiques au Néolithique final (environ 3600-2300 av. n.-è.) en Languedoc oriental et ses marges (Ardèche et Bouches-du-Rhône). Le Néolithique final du Languedoc oriental et ses régions limitrophes couvre une diversité de paysages en escalier composés de plaines, de garrigues et des Causses et Cévennes. Les contextes karstiques notablement, ont la particularité de ne pratiquement pas offrir d’eau en surface. Les Néolithiques ont pallié ce manque en allant la chercher au sein des cavités. Ce travail se concentre sur plusieurs types de site : les grottes, les structures d’habitat ainsi que les structures de stockage et de transformation de plateaux et de plaines. Dans le cadre de ces travaux de recherches, nous avons cherché à caractériser les pratiques alimentaires de ces sociétés, au sein de contextes offrant des ressources très différentes. C’est par le biais d’une approche intégrée appliquée aux céramiques, incluant à la fois les études morpho- et technofonctionnelles, la tracéologie et les analyses de résidus organiques, que nous avons tenté de répondre à ces questions, ainsi qu’en construisant un référentiel expérimental conséquent et en mobilisant des données issues d’études ethnographiques. Les résultats obtenus sont à la fois méthodologiques et culturels. D’une part, cette thèse contribue à la compréhension de la formation des traces par un référentiel expérimental complet, celui-ci prenant en compte la nature du traitement de surface ainsi que la dégradation des traces lors des processus post-dépositionnels. Elle propose également une méthodologie d’étude adaptée à tous les contextes karstiques. D’autre part, cette thèse participe à l’étude de la fonction des sites et plus généralement des activités en lien avec l’alimentation sur chaque site. Les problématiques du stockage, de l’eau et des aliments, mais aussi de leur conservation, sont des notions centrales de ce travail de recherche

Fonction des sites ; fonction des céramiques ?

Étudier la fonction des céramiques, pour les 3e et 4e millénaires avant notre ère, peut être considéré comme un exercice approximatif. En effet, il faut étudier des éléments immatériels : des contenus aujourd’hui disparus, mais aussi de pratiques sociales dont il ne subsiste que peu de traces. Cependant, la tracéologie, appliquée à la faune ou au lithique a démontré que nous sommes en capacité d’interpréter les traces liées aux activités quotidiennes. En appliquant cette discipline à la céramique il devient possible d’étudier les pratiques alimentaires à travers un nouveau prisme.Afin d’appliquer ces méthodes à la céramique, il faut progresser à la manière de Jean Claude Gardin en formant des allers-retours entre les hypothèses et les perceptions empiriques (Gardin 1970, p. 373). C’est le croisement des méthodes qui permet progressivement de valider ou invalider les hypothèses. La première étape, la plus évidente, est de poser les bases d’une étude typologique, qui permet de maîtriser la chronologie et l’homogénéité de l’assemblage. Le reste de l’étude suit le modèle du contexte systémique de Schiffer (1972) en commençant par la fabrication puis l’utilisation de la céramique. Enfin, l’étape du rejet y est également abordée par des études taphonomiques. L’étape de l’acquisition, bien qu’initiale, est laissée de côté pour ces réflexions.Les études morphologiques et technologiques permettent d’appréhender les fonctions de la céramique, suivant le principe de la notion de template de Schiffer et Skibo (explicitée ci-dessous). Une étude comparée des capacités volumétriques des assemblages se révèle utile pour reconnaître les activités principales d’un site. En effet, cela permet d’appréhender la nature de l’utilisation d’un site et la dynamique de son occupation (saisonnier, annuel, etc.). Enfin, c’est l’étude des usures qui permet de confirmer l’utilisation effective des céramiques. L’ensemble permet sur une plus large échelle d’aborder les pratiques sociales qui participent à définir et circonscrire une culture.Functional studies of 3rd and 4th millennium BP potteries seem to be at first, rather unreliable. Indeed, one must ponder over immaterial elements, such as disappeared contents and social practices that leave little but no traces. Nevertheless, use-wear studies applied to other materials have proven that we are able to interpret traces made by daily activities. By using this discipline on ceramics, it becomes possible to study food practices from a new point of view.In order to apply this methodology to potteries, on must progress in the fashion of Jean-Claude Gardin, by creating a back and forth motion between hypothesis and empirical perceptions (Gardin 1970, p. 373). It is at the crossing of different methods that one may validate or invalidate hypothesis. The first step, is to carry out a typological study that leads to a better understanding of the chronology and the homogeneity of the corpus. The rest of the study follows Schiffer’s systemic context model (Schiffer 1972) beginning with the making of the pottery and then its use. The dumping of the pottery is approached by studying taphonomical processes. Even though acquisition is the very first step, it is not discussed in this paper.Morphological and technological studies allow a better understanding of pottery function, by following Schiffer and Skibo’s notion of “template” (as explained in this paper). A comparative study of volume capacity of a corpus is useful in order to characterize the main activities of a settlement. It can bring insights on the site’s function and the dynamic of its occupation (seasonal, annual, etc.). Finally, it is the study of use-wear that will lead to the confirmation of the actual use of potteries. All these methods of analysis participate in the reflexion regarding social and food practices as well as the definition and circumscription of a culture

Conçus pour servir. Cadre méthodologique et perspectives pour l'étude des traces d'usage dans les récipients en céramique prédynastiques et au-delà

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Water and food management in late Neolithic plateau caves and lowland substructures in the south of France (3500-2300 BCE)

International audienceThe purpose of this article is to investigate the storing behaviours in the South of France in the late Neolithic period, in plateaus and lowland structures. Plateaus are limestone formations that present multiple natural cavities for the Neolithic people to use, but in return, have no surface water to offer. The subterranean nature of water has profoundly shaped the storing behaviours in the plateaus as it is mostly turned towards water collection and storage. In the lowland area however, substructures were dug directly in the soil and ceramics were used aswell as possible organic containers. This paper aims to address the similarities and differences between the usage of caves and cellars. The application of a use-wear analysis on ceramic vessels brings new insights on past food practices

Replacement in progress. Insights on disappearing pottery shapes and functions in favour of metal and plastic containers in Lower Casamance, Senegal (20th-21st century AD).

International audienceAs part of the SNF Sinergia project Foodways in West Africa, an ethnographic investigation focused on pottery use and food habits has been conducted in three villages from Lower Casamance in Senegal (Agnack Petit, Diattang and Edioungou). The typometry and use-wear of 262 ethnographic pots coming from 24 different houses have been documented in order to create a reference collection useful to interpret the function of ancient pottery. Such comprehensive study has allowed to establish a set of diagnostic criteria of various pottery function still present in Lower Casamance.In parallel, a 20th century dump site, called “La Poubelle des Mamans” has been archaeologically investigated in one of the villages (Edioungou). The ceramic vessels unearthed during the excavation (MNI 330) have been the subject of a similar functional analysis combining typometry and use-wear and have been compared to the assemblage of pottery still in use in the village. The goal of this comparison is to offer in depth data to understand the evolution of the use of pots and subsequently, food practices. The results of this study have highlighted different paces of changes. On the one hand, some pots such as water storage jars show a great continuity, the reason of it is to be found in their technical performances, such as refreshing the water in the absence of refrigerators. On the other hand, the archaeological record shows that some shapes have nearly completely disappeared, such as low open mouth pots or narrow globular pots, formerly used for a large range of activities from transport to hygiene. They have been replaced with similar shapes made from plastic, glass and enamelled metal. Some of them have also been simply abandoned following behavioural changes, such as collecting water, the installation of running water in the village preventing women to search for water far away.Some cultural specificities have also emerged from this study. Wwhile most villages studied have abandoned cooking pots in favour of metal pots and pans, some local recipes still require the use of earthen pots for various reasons and allowed their survival to this day. This is the case for example with fish cooked in lemon juice.In conclusion, it seems that several complex phenomena (performance characteristics, religion, food habits and availability) have driven the evolution of pottery use in Lower Casamance and at different rates. These insights help understand archaeological rhythms of changes and disappearances in pottery shapes

Past & Curious, la série de dessins animés d'archéologie

Lettre de l'INSHS Septembre 202