Following their tears: Production and use of plant exudates in the Neolithic of North Aegean and the Balkans

Urem-Kotsou, Dushka; Mitkidou, Sophia; Dimitrakoudi, Evagelia; Kokkinos, Nikolaos C.; Ntinou, María

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2018.10.027

Cited by 19 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…These substances are multifunctional materials that were used since Prehistory for their adhesive and hydrophobic properties, among other things (Table S1). In the archaeological record, they are usually discovered as elements used to haft tools or to mend ceramic vessels, as waterproofing agents (Aveling and Heron, 1998a;Bonfield et al, 1997;Connan, 1999;Connan and Van de Velde, 2010;Evans and Heron, 1993;Langlois et al, 2005;Mitkidou et al, 2008;Regert, 2001;Regert, 2004;, or even as aesthetic components of various objects (including for colour) (Bosquet et al, 2001;Connan et al, 2004;Regert et al, 2019;Sauter et al, 2002;Urem-Kotsou et al, 2018). Plant exudates and tars may also have been employed in medicinal practices, such as dental care (Aveling and Heron, 1999;Evans and Heron, 1993;Stern et al, 2006), or used for their odoriferous properties (Lucquin et al, 2007;Marangou and Stern, 2009;Mathe et al, 2004;Stern et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management systems of adhesive materials throughout the Neolithic in the North-West Mediterranean

Rageot

Lepère

Henry

et al. 2021

Journal of Archaeological Science

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Plant resins, tars and organic fossil substances provide valuable insights into the ecological, environmental and cultural contexts of ancient societies. Their study offers evidence of past knowhow, production systems, socio-economic networks and mobility. In this paper, we present new data from 16 sites located in the North-West Mediterranean that provide new insights into the exploitation of these substances for their adhesive and hydrophobic properties throughout the Neolithic (6000-2500 cal BCE). The substances investigated are discussed in the light of their molecular composition, their uses and manufacturing processes. Spatial analyses were also performed to elucidate raw material procurement strategies. This study considerably increases the body of data available from the Mediterranean and tells a diachronic story of adhesive production and use throughout the Neolithic, highlighting the variability and complexity of production systems and supply networks at different spatial scales. While most adhesive and hydrophobic substances were probably collected locally, birch bark tar was very likely transported across long distances to reach Mediterranean coastal sites. Birch bark tar exploitation intensified in South-Eastern France during the Middle Neolithic, while the Late Neolithic is characterised by a diversification of the substances employed and their range of uses: bitumen, birch bark tar (pure or mixed with Pinaceae resin, beeswax and possibly fat/oil) were important materials that were used for a variety of purposes. Pure Pinaceae exudates were exclusively employed for waterproofing pottery. We also highlight the standardisation of birch bark tar production for adhesive manufacture observed in Provence during the first part of the 4 th millennium cal. BCE.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management systems of adhesive materials throughout the Neolithic in the North-West Mediterranean

Rageot

Lepère

Henry

et al. 2021

Journal of Archaeological Science

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“…7). In this respect, it is interesting to note that recently, Urem- Kotsou et al (2018) reported the occurrence of the same fatty acyl triterpenoids than those from the study of Dudd and Evershed (1999), which were interpreted as the result of a mixture between birch bark tar and fat.…”

Section: Triterpenoid Esters As New Biomarkers Of Birch Bark Tarmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…They could be indicators of a high level of heating Version avant révision during birch bark tar preparation using the "single pot" procedure rather than biomarkers resulting from the mixture between birch bark tar and animal fat, as envisaged previously (cf. Dudd and Evershed, 1999;Urem-Kotsou et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Betulin-related esters from birch bark tar: Identification, origin and archaeological significance

Perthuison

Schaeffer

Debels

et al. 2020

Organic Geochemistry

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Birch bark tar, an organic material frequently encountered during archaeological excavations, has been identified from its lipid composition on the cracks of a ceramic dated to the late Neolithic. Lipids of this black substance were dominated by a characteristic triterpenoid assemblage of lupane-related triterpenoids from birch bark together with their thermal degradation products formed during preparation of the tar. Among the latter, four main series of unusual triterpenoid esters have been detected and were postulated to correspond to esters of D 2 -betulin and D 2dihydrobetulin based on their mass spectra and hydrolysis experiments.Their conclusive identification has been achieved by synthesis of reference compounds. These compounds most likely originate from the esterification between triterpenoid alcohols related to betulin and fatty acids from suberin formed upon heating of birch bark tar. They could be considered as markers of intense heating during birch bark tar preparation using the "single pot" procedure.

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“…Refiring experiments of Neolithic sherds decorated with birch bark tar suggest that the material was applied after the pots’ initial firing, as otherwise it would burn off even at low temperatures (Yiouni 2001, 20–1; Yiouni, Koukouli-Chrysanthaki and Ploumis 1994, 345). Finally, considering that birch trees were sparse in northern Greece during the Holocene and probably restricted to high altitudes, birch bark tar may have arrived at MNG as a finished product from afar (see Urem-Kotsou et al 2018, especially 74–5).…”

Section: The Excavation and Surface Survey Of Megalo Nisi Galanismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The evidence for the use of tars, especially birch bark tar, as a glue for mending pots, as a coating material and for decoration has grown considerably since the 1990s (see Urem-Kotsou et al 2018 and references therein). Refiring experiments of Neolithic sherds decorated with birch bark tar suggest that the material was applied after the pots’ initial firing, as otherwise it would burn off even at low temperatures (Yiouni 2001, 20–1; Yiouni, Koukouli-Chrysanthaki and Ploumis 1994, 345).…”

Section: The Excavation and Surface Survey Of Megalo Nisi Galanismentioning

confidence: 99%

MEGALO NISI GALANIS (6300–1800bc): CONSTRUCTING A CULTURAL SEQUENCE FOR THE NEOLITHIC OF WEST MACEDONIA, GREECE

Fotiadis

Hondroyanni-Metoki²,

Kalogirou³

et al. 2019

Annu. Br. Sch. Athens

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Scores of Neolithic sites have been excavated in west Macedonia since the 1990s, yet the majority are relatively short-lived installations, lacking high-resolution stratigraphies and sequences of radiocarbon dates. Megalo Nisi Galanis, a large mound in the Kitrini Limni basin, near modern Kozani, is a rare exception to that pattern. Systematically surveyed and excavated in 1987–9 and 1993, this site covers a large part of the Neolithic period in a stratified, radiocarbon-dated sequence capped in places by thin deposits of the Early Bronze Age. We present here the critical details of that sequence and relate them to evidence from other, recently excavated sites in west Macedonia. Megalo Nisi Galanis was first settled in the Early Neolithic (late seventh millennium bc), was intensively occupied until the early phases of the Final Neolithic (around 4500 bc), and continued to be inhabited, albeit sparely or intermittently, until the transition from the Early to the Middle Bronze Age, about 1800 bc. By the end of occupation, the mound covered more than eight hectares and rose up to five metres above the surrounding landscape. We attend closely to features of that landscape that are likely to have played an important role in the history of occupation of the site and Kitrini Limni in the course of the Holocene.

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Following their tears: Production and use of plant exudates in the Neolithic of North Aegean and the Balkans

Cited by 19 publications

References 35 publications

Management systems of adhesive materials throughout the Neolithic in the North-West Mediterranean

Management systems of adhesive materials throughout the Neolithic in the North-West Mediterranean

Betulin-related esters from birch bark tar: Identification, origin and archaeological significance

MEGALO NISI GALANIS (6300–1800bc): CONSTRUCTING A CULTURAL SEQUENCE FOR THE NEOLITHIC OF WEST MACEDONIA, GREECE

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