An integrated multianalytical approach to the reconstruction of daily activities at the Bronze Age settlement in Peñalosa (Jaén, Spain)

•Identification of organic residues by FTIR, ATR–FTIR, GC–MS, HRMS and GC–C–IRMS•A reconstruction about human activities in Spanish Bronze Age was discussed•Correlation between isotopic/molecular analysis and paleopathological studies•The consumption of grape juice or wine 4000 years ago is discussed

This paper seeks to reconstruct everyday human activities in a Bronze Age Argaric site in southeastern Spain. We used an integrated multi-analytical approach to study residues extracted from 5 ceramic pieces and 3 soil samples. The results of these analyses were complemented with archaeological interpretations to produce the first findings on domestic activities four millennia ago at the Peñalosa settlement in Jaén, Spain. The bands observed in FTIR and ATR–FTIR spectra of the archaeological residues showed a peak assignment that confirmed the silicate components of the clay as raw material and the presence of organic matter. The amorphous organic materials were analyzed by GC–MS, HRMS and GC–C–IRMS, and the mineral residues by non-invasive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). We identified α,ω-dicarboxylic and ω-(o-alkylphenyl) alkanoic acids produced by oxidative degradation of unsaturated fatty acids, as well as monocarboxylic acids, n-alkanes, diterpenoid acids, cholesterol, dyes and chemical grape markers. Assignments were based on lipid profile, fatty acid ratios and the δ13C values of C16:0 and C18:0. The results are consistent with the presence of tissues from ruminant (ovine or bovine) and non-ruminant (swine and equine) animals, vegetable oils, waxes, conifer resin and grape seeds. The presence of fish-based fats was suggested in one of the residues. Our evidence also suggests that grape juice or wine may have been consumed at this Bronze Age site. As far as we know this is the first investigation of the organic residues absorbed into an Argaric goblet used in a domestic situation.