Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology / Fatty Acid Profiles and Isotopic Composition in Food Residues from Neolithic Ceramic Vessels from the Angara Region and the Western Coast of Lake Baikal as an Indicator of Ancient Human Diet

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Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology. 2025 18 (4)
Authors
Berdnikov, Ivan M.; Okrugina, Anastasia K.; Boyandin, Anatoly N.; Goriunova, Olga I.; Rogozin, Denis Y.
Contact information
Berdnikov, Ivan M. : Irkutsk State University Irkutsk, Russian Federation; ORCID: 0000-0002-1943-7507; Okrugina, Anastasia K. : Siberian Federal University Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ORCID: 0009-0008-4132-8308; Boyandin, Anatoly N.: Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS” Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ORCID: 000-0002-9190-2792; Goriunova, Olga I. : Irkutsk State University Irkutsk, Russian Federation; ORCID: 0000-0002-5159-0894; Rogozin, Denis Y. : Siberian Federal University Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS” Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ; ORCID: 0000-0002-9350-2936
Keywords
fatty acids; gas chromatography; mass spectrometry; Neolithic; Angara region; Baikal; ceramic vessels; lipid residue analysis
Abstract

The article presents the results of fatty acid analysis in samples of organic residues from Neolithic ceramic vessels (~8.5–5 ka cal BP) excavated from multilayered sites in the Angara region and on the western coast of Lake Baikal. Gas chromatography results and stable carbon isotope data for palmitic and stearic acids indicated that the vessels were used by hunter- gatherers for preparing and/or storing products of diverse origins – plant and animal (possibly including ichthyofauna) – with ruminant fats clearly predominating in their composition. One sample contained biomarkers suggesting the presence of wax, which may indicate the use of wild bee products by the local population, though this hypothesis requires further verification. The study concludes that fatty acid analysis of organic residues from archaeological vessels is crucial for understanding hunter- gatherer economic activities and diets, but integrating additional interdisciplinary data is essential for a comprehensive vision

Pages
432–450
EDN
WTWGKO
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/158022

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