Fatty acids distribution and stable isotope ratios (bulk delta(13)C.
delta(15)N and delta(13)C of individual fatty acids) of organic residues
from 30 potsherds have been used to get further insights into the diet
at the Late Neolithic (3384-3370 BC) site of Arbon Bleiche 3.
Switzerland. The results are compared with modern equivalents of animal
and vegetable fats, which may have been consumed ill a mixed ecology
community having agrarian, breeding, shepherd, gathering, hunting, and
fishing activities. The used combined chemical and isotopic approach
provides valuable information to complement archaeological indirect
evidence about the dietary trends obtained from the analysis of faunal
and plant remains. The small variations of the delta(13)C and delta(15)N
values within the range expected for degraded animal and plant tissues,
is consistent with the archaeological evidence of animals, whose
subsistence was mainly based on C(3) plants. The overall fatty acid
composition and the stable carbon isotopic compositions of palmitic,
stearic and oleic acids of the organic residues indicate that the
studied Arbon Bleiche 3 sherds contain fat residues of plant and animal
origin, most likely ruminant (bovine and ovine). In several vessels the
presence of milk residues provides direct evidence for dairying during
the late Neolithic in central Europe. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved.