Fine Endmesolithic Fish Caviar Meal Discovered by Proteomics of Foodcrusts

Abstract

The role of aquatic resources in ancient economies and paleodiet is important for understanding the evolution of prehistorical societies. However, conventional archaeometric approaches lack organismal specificity, are affected by abundant environmental contaminants and do not elucidate food processing recipes. We performed proteomics analysis of charred organic deposits adhered on early ceramics from Mesolithic-Neolithic inland site Friesack 4 (Brandenburg, Germany). Proteomics of foodcrust from a vessel attributed to Endmesolithic pottery identified fine carp roe meal and revealed details of a prehistorical culinary recipe. We propose that Endmesolithic occupants of Friesack at the end of the 5th millennium BC utilized fish as a food reserve and adopted delayed-return subsistence strategy. These data contribute to better understanding of the dietary context of Neolithic transition in European inland.