Linking all the traces to understand use-behaviours. A multidisciplinary functional analysis of Neolithic pottery from Sardinia (Italy)
Résumé
Compared to the diffusion of functional studies on lithic and bone tools, traceology of pottery still remains an underestimated or unevenly developed domain. Use-wear attritions, visible and/or absorbed residues are all use-related traces providing information about pottery function in prehistoric societies, and their study requires an essential multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, the chemical (molecular and isotopic) approach is largely predominant in addressing functional issues, overlooking the importance of use-wear observation. The purpose of this communication is to highlight the usefulness of an integrated functional analysis of pottery, encompassing vessel morphometry and use-wear beside results from GC, GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS residues analysis, as a mean to fully explore the issue of pottery integration in technical systems of Neolithic societies. Specifically, we investigate pottery from advanced Middle Neolithic sites (4500-4000 cal BC) in Sardinia (Italy). Different patterns of use-wear are identified through a macroscopic and low-magnification (10-40x) microscopic approach, and linked to specific vessel morphologies and sizes. Remarkably, visible carbonized residues on exterior and interior surfaces demonstrate the role of pots (4-9 L capacity) in cooking, with two distinct modalities of use: a) decreasing concentration of residues down the vessel profile shows boiling fatty products, b) interior wall abrasion, without lipid contents, possibly suggests grain processing. Contrariwise, bowls (<4 L) are preferred for serving/eating animal and vegetal foods, as exterior base abrasion and residues revealed, but they were rarely involved in transformation of foods causing severe attrition (i.e., grinding), scratches and abrasions on interior surfaces being infrequent. The lack of abrasions reflects static use (storing) for closed jars and big-size vessels. No strict correlation appears between kind of content and vessel morphology, but only a part of available resources appears to be exploited within pottery. These multidisciplinary results on pottery use enhance our knowledge on activities and organization of Sardinian Middle Neolithic societies.