ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANALYTICAL TOOLS FOR FOOD SYSTEM RECONSTRUCTION: OVERVIEW OF OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITATIONS (THE BRONZE AGE OF THE SOUTHERN URALS)
Keywords:
study of nutrition in archaeology, diet reconstruction for the Bronze Age population, Southern Urals, natural science methodsAbstract
The article discusses the current state of research into the reconstruction of the nutrition system for ancient societies. The topic has become increasingly relevant due to the expanding information capabilities of archaeological sources with new analytical techniques. Potential sources can be grouped according to the phases of the food chain: production, storage, preparation and consumption of food products, as well as disposal of waste. Despite the interconnected nature of these stages, each has its own unique set of data and methods of analysis. The paper evaluates the usefulness of various techniques, such as elemental and isotope analysis, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and proteomic analysis of ancient dental calculus, as well as the phosphate method. It considers not only the heuristic potential of these methods but also their limitations and the potential for different interpretations. All this is demonstrated by the example of the Bronze Age of the Southern Urals, for which a significant number of data have been found in various locations. The phases of production and consumption of products have been reconstructed with great confidence, although there are still some gaps in archaeological and analytical data for some periods and regions. We see potential for further research in the field of “archaeology of food” through the elimination of these gaps, as well as through the expansion of using gas chromatography methods for ceramic vessels and the analysis of dental calculus. Important results from previous studies include the recognition of the need for systematic research and an integrated approach to studying the food system, incorporating all phases of the process and as much data as possible, which can create a comprehensive picture of this period of the past.References
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