ORGANIC RESIDUES PRESERVED IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL CERAMICS FROM THE EARLY BRONZE AGE SITE OF KHIRBET AL-BATRAWY IN NORTH-CENTRAL JORDAN

Authors

  • Abdulraouf Mayyas Department of Conservation Science (DCS), Queen Rania Institute of Tourism and Heritage (QRITH), The Hashemite University P.O .Box: 330127, Postal Code: Zarqa - 13133, Jordan
  • Khaled Douglas Department of Sustainable Tourism (DST), Queen Rania Institute of Tourism and Heritage (QRITH), The Hashemite University P.O. Box: 330127, Postal Code: Zarqa – 13133, Jordan
  • Thorsten Hoffmann Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Analytische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
  • Ute Thorenz Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Analytische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
  • Ibrahim Bany Yaseen Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Al al-Bayt, P.O. Box: 130040, Postal Code: Mafraq - 25113, Jordan
  • El-Khalili Mohammed Department of Conservation Science (DCS), Queen Rania Institute of Tourism and Heritage (QRITH), The Hashemite University, P.O. Box: 330127, Postal Code: Zarqa - 13133, Jordan

Keywords:

Lipids, Fatty acids, ceramic sherds, Gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, Early Bronze Age, Khirbet Al-Batrawy

Abstract

Twenty one ceramic shreds, from the Early Bronze Age fortified town of Khirbet Al-Batrawy in Jordan, with known archaeological contexts, were tested concerning the preservation of organic residues using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Conventional solvent extraction and alkaline hydrolysis (saponification) were used for the extraction of residues preserved in their fabric. Five of these shreds showed significant preservation of lipid constituents, mainly free fatty acids. The preliminary results of this research provide data on the possible use of plant oil in these vessels and resinous material probably to seal the internal surfaces of the vessels. These results are in conjunction with the archaeological evidence on the availability and use of plant oil in this region, which contribute to the understanding of the usage of ceramic vessels at the site during the Early Bronze Age.

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Published

2023-07-27

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Articles