This paper discusses the analysis of organic residues preserved in the fabric of twelve pottery s... more This paper discusses the analysis of organic residues preserved in the fabric of twelve pottery sherds (two Bronze Age and ten Iron Age) excavated from three sites: Jneneh, Sahab and Tell Abu al-Kharaz. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for separation and identification of organic constituents. Conventional solvent extraction was used for the extraction of residues preserved in their fabrics. The analysis showed that five sherds out of the twelve preserve significant organic constituents derived from plant and animal sources. The results inform that plant oil (most likely olive oil) could have been introduced into four Iron Age vessels (three from Jneneh and one from Tell Abu al-Kharaz) while animal fat of unknown source could have been introduced into one Iron Age vessel from Sahab. Evidences of the availability and exploitation of plant materials, such as oils and animal fats during the Iron Age were also presented in this paper.
The essential oil chemical composition of fresh and air-dried aerial parts of the Scabiosa prolif... more The essential oil chemical composition of fresh and air-dried aerial parts of the Scabiosa prolifera (Dipsacaceae Family) was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at both the pre-flowering and flowering stages. Forty nine compounds were identified. In the fresh pre-flowering oil, E-salvene (54.90%), αpicoline (20.98%) and ethyl isovalerate (18.32%) were found to be the main components. In the dried pre-flowering oil, ethyl isovalerate (37.84%), 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene (9.61%) and myrtenal (7.60%) were the major components. On the other hand, the major constituents identified in the fresh flowering oil were ethyl isovalerate (59.57%), E-salvene (24.78%) and αpicoline (4.43%), whereas the dried flowering oil contained ethyl isovalerate (48.87%) as major component, in addition to α-thujone (8.10%), 3-para-menthene (6.10%), α-picoline (5.86%) and myrtenal (5.17%).
Twenty one ceramic shreds, from the Early Bronze Age fortified town of Khirbet Al-Batrawy in Jord... more Twenty one ceramic shreds, from the Early Bronze Age fortified town of Khirbet Al-Batrawy in Jordan, with known archaeological contexts, were tested concerning the preservation of organic residues using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Conventional solvent extraction and alkaline hydrolysis (saponification) were used for the extraction of residues preserved in their fabric. Five of these shreds showed significant preservation of lipid constituents, mainly free fatty acids. The preliminary results of this research provide data on the possible use of plant oil in these vessels and resinous material probably to seal the internal surfaces of the vessels. These results are in conjunction with the archaeological evidence on the availability and use of plant oil in this region, which contribute to the understanding of the usage of ceramic vessels at the site during the Early Bronze Age.
This paper discusses the analysis of organic residues preserved in the fabric of twelve pottery s... more This paper discusses the analysis of organic residues preserved in the fabric of twelve pottery sherds (two Bronze Age and ten Iron Age) excavated from three sites: Jneneh, Sahab and Tell Abu al-Kharaz. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for separation and identification of organic constituents. Conventional solvent extraction was used for the extraction of residues preserved in their fabrics. The analysis showed that five sherds out of the twelve preserve significant organic constituents derived from plant and animal sources. The results inform that plant oil (most likely olive oil) could have been introduced into four Iron Age vessels (three from Jneneh and one from Tell Abu al-Kharaz) while animal fat of unknown source could have been introduced into one Iron Age vessel from Sahab. Evidences of the availability and exploitation of plant materials, such as oils and animal fats during the Iron Age were also presented in this paper.
The essential oil chemical composition of fresh and air-dried aerial parts of the Scabiosa prolif... more The essential oil chemical composition of fresh and air-dried aerial parts of the Scabiosa prolifera (Dipsacaceae Family) was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at both the pre-flowering and flowering stages. Forty nine compounds were identified. In the fresh pre-flowering oil, E-salvene (54.90%), αpicoline (20.98%) and ethyl isovalerate (18.32%) were found to be the main components. In the dried pre-flowering oil, ethyl isovalerate (37.84%), 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene (9.61%) and myrtenal (7.60%) were the major components. On the other hand, the major constituents identified in the fresh flowering oil were ethyl isovalerate (59.57%), E-salvene (24.78%) and αpicoline (4.43%), whereas the dried flowering oil contained ethyl isovalerate (48.87%) as major component, in addition to α-thujone (8.10%), 3-para-menthene (6.10%), α-picoline (5.86%) and myrtenal (5.17%).
Twenty one ceramic shreds, from the Early Bronze Age fortified town of Khirbet Al-Batrawy in Jord... more Twenty one ceramic shreds, from the Early Bronze Age fortified town of Khirbet Al-Batrawy in Jordan, with known archaeological contexts, were tested concerning the preservation of organic residues using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Conventional solvent extraction and alkaline hydrolysis (saponification) were used for the extraction of residues preserved in their fabric. Five of these shreds showed significant preservation of lipid constituents, mainly free fatty acids. The preliminary results of this research provide data on the possible use of plant oil in these vessels and resinous material probably to seal the internal surfaces of the vessels. These results are in conjunction with the archaeological evidence on the availability and use of plant oil in this region, which contribute to the understanding of the usage of ceramic vessels at the site during the Early Bronze Age.
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