First molecular and isotopic evidence of millet processing in prehistoric pottery vessels

• DOI: 10.1038/srep38767
• Publication Date: 2016-12-22T10:36:12Z
• Authors: Carl Heron; Shinya Shoda; Adrià Breu Barcons; Janusz Czebreszuk; Yvette Eley; Marise Gorton; Wiebke Kirleis; Jutta Kneisel; Alexandre Lucquin; Johannes Müller; Yastami Nishida; Joon-ho Son; Oliver E. Craig
• Keywords: Panicum miliaceum

Analysis of organic residues in pottery vessels has been successful detecting a range animal and plant products as indicators food preparation consumption the past. However, identification remains, especially grain crops pottery, proved elusive. Extending spectrum is highly desirable, not only to strengthen our understanding dispersal from centres domestication but also determine modes processing, artefact function culinary significance crop. Here, we propose new approach identify millet vessels, crop that spread throughout much Eurasia during prehistory following its domestication, most likely northern China. We report miliacin (olean-18-en-3β-ol methyl ether), pentacyclic triterpene ether enriched grains common/broomcorn (Panicum miliaceum), Bronze Age Korean Peninsula Europe. The presence supported by carbon stable isotope values bulk charred matter sampled vessel surfaces extracted n-alkanoic acids, consistent with C4 origin. These data represent first archaeological ceramic providing means track introduction, this important