Characterization of Bronze age pottery from the Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta (Italy): Results from the first analysis of organic lipid residues

摘要: Abstract The “Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta” are a karst cavity complex located in Pertosa (Salerno, Italy), that opens the Tanagro valley with large entrance, about 15 m wide and 17 m high, oriented towards west. caves very important prehistoric site because they preserve remains of pile-dwelling village dating back to II millennium BC. Different types ceramic finds, coming from so-called “antegrotta”, have been selected submitted chemical investigations, aim verifying possible presence organic residues identifying their nature. Both Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass (GC-C-IRMS) used identify lipids absorbed by ceramics formulate hypotheses artefact uses functions. Most finds shown animal origin: these mixtures ruminant non-ruminant animals, while single sample isotopic analyses identified dairy/milk products. Data shed light on use human activities during Bronze Age, constitute one few examples Italy analysis applied similar archaeological contexts.