Reading the Residues in Archaeological Hearth Deposits

• Main Authors: Buonasera, Tammy, Herrera-Herrera, Antonio, Vanlandeghem, Marine, Mallol, Carolina
• Other Authors: Universidad de La Laguna Tenerife - SP (ULL), Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO-AG), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - UFR Histoire de l'art et archéologie (UP1 UFR03), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (UP1), Archéologies environnementales, Archéologies et Sciences de l'Antiquité (ArScAn), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (UP1)-Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis (UP8)-Université Paris Nanterre (UPN)-Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (MCC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (UP1)-Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis (UP8)-Université Paris Nanterre (UPN)-Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (MCC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2018
• Subjects: Combustion Feature; Hearth; Animal Fat; Bone Burning; Food Processing; Fuel; Biomarkers; CSIA; GC/MS; Paleolithic; [SHS.ARCHEO]Humanities and Social Sciences/Archaeology and Prehistory; Anchorage; Arctic
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-01846308

International audience Remnant lipids from the combustion and heat-related processing of animal products preserve exceptionally well in many Arctic sites. Various terrestrial and aquatic lipid sources can be identified through combined molecular and isotopic analyses, but studies are still in an early phase. Here, we present results from recent field and laboratory experiments that provide clarification on pyrogenic biomarker formation in combustion related sediments. Our analyses of sedimentary layers from experimental fires, laboratory heating experiments, and archaeological hearths have identified a range of biomarkers formed through pyrolysis of animal fats, which are otherwise rare in the environment.