Curated cauldrons: Preserved proteins from early copper alloy vessels illuminate feasting practices in the Caucasian steppe

Hommel, Peter ORCID: 0000-0001-5045-9096 (2023) Curated cauldrons: Preserved proteins from early copper alloy vessels illuminate feasting practices in the Caucasian steppe. iScience, 26 (9). 107482-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107482

Abstract

Large metal and metal-alloy cauldrons first appear on the far western steppe and Caucasus region during the Maykop period (3700-2900 BCE); however, the types of foods or beverages cooked in and served from these vessels have remained mysterious. Here, we present proteomic analysis of nine residues from copper-alloy cauldrons from Maykop burial contexts where we identify muscle, blood, and milk proteins specific to domesticated, and possibly wild, ruminants. This study clearly demonstrates that the earliest, large-volume feasting vessels contained both primary and secondary animal products, likely prepared in the form of a stew.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Archeology, Paleobiochemistry
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Histories, Languages and Cultures
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2023 08:26
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 02:17
DOI:	10.1016/j.isci.2023.107482
Open Access URL:	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3172700