| الوصف: |
The analysis of absorbed lipid residues in unglazed ceramics has been widely employed in archaeology to establish dietary patterns, enabling the identification of organic compounds derived from a broad range of natural resources. While organic residue analysis has previously been applied to various Neolithic sites in Poland and Lithuania, this study is the first to apply the approach to medieval vessels of these regions. The applied analytical techniques aim to elucidate dietary habits during turbulent periods of socioeconomic change in Polish and Lithuanian history. Lipid extracts from 364 potsherds were investigated using gas chromatography techniques: GC-FID, GC-MS, GC-C-IRMS; and additional high resolution GC-Q-ToF-MS. Ceramic vessels from six sites of the Wielkopolska region of Poland (9th-12th c. A.D.), with five recognised as early Piast centres, were analysed. Further investigations were performed for materials from two hillforts of the surrounding territories of Vilnius, Lithuania (13th-15th c. A.D.), connected to the early development of the Grand Duchy. Investigation of these key strongholds and administrative centres attributed to two emerging dynasties present unique opportunities to evaluate dietary practices for elite groups, during periods of significant political reform. Results indicated a diverse economic strategy and broad range of natural resource exploitation for both territories. For Polish sites, terrestrial meat (ruminant, porcine), aquatic products (Baltic, freshwater species), millet cereal, as well as exploitation of bee products and pine, were all observed. In Lithuania, a strong emphasis on aquatic product processing was observed, with compound-specific isotope values suggesting a potential prevalence of Baltic species exploitation. High resolution GC-Q-ToF-MS analysis allowed for enhanced identification of miliacin, diterpenoids attributable to pine, and low abundance beeswax signatures in lipid-rich extracts. From the novel biomolecular and isotopic information generated, this work provides a greater understanding of lifestyle and diet for the Piast dynasty and Grand Duchy of Lithuania, during historic periods of cultural development and centralisation. |