The investigation of food components in archaeological pottery has traditionally relied on the preservation of lipids and the use of GC-MS analysis to identify biomarkers. This project, however, seeks to advance the methodology by experimentally testing the preservation of non-lipid compounds from a variety of fruits and plants. To do so, TRACE involves a long-term burying experiment which aims to the the preservation and visibility of plant-based absorbed in pottery after a prolonged period in different soil types.
The project aims to conferm/reject the validity of this approach, also publishing potential negative results, as well as to apply the method to a range of pre- and proto-historic vessels. TRACE is funded under the framework of the NextGenerationEU Programme.