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27 settembre 2024
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Le Mani in Pasta: l’Alimentazione attraverso i Millenni
Cosa mangiamo oggi? È la domanda che accompagna la vita quotidiana di tutti gli esseri viventi. Ma come hanno risposto a questa domanda gli esseri umani nel corso dei millenni? Combinando chimica ed archeologia sperimentale, esploreremo la dieta umana dai primi sapiens che occuparono il continente Euroasiatico 40.000 anni fa fino alle popolazioni Maya in Centroamerica tra il 250 e il 900 d.C.
9th EuChemS Chemistry Congress
7-11 July 2024, Dublin
Scientific program: https://euchems2024.org/ecc9-programme/
O4.810
An innovative approach to disclose Paleolithic stone tools as bio-archives
Elena Badetti1, Giusi Sorrentino1, Laura Longo1, Clarissa Cagnato1, Alessandro Bonetto1, Andrea Brunelli1, Semenzin Elena1, Antonio Marcomini1, Francesca Porpora2, Emiliano Carretti3, Luigi Dei2
1Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy.
2University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
3University of Florence and CNR-INO, Florence, Italy
Abstract
The recovery of starch grains from ground stone tools (GSTs) dating to the Late Pleistocene1 have provided evidence that Homo sapiens (HS) was mechanically grinding plant organs during its dispersal into Eurasia. Starch is the reserve of polysaccharides accumulated in the amyloplasts of plants, and its high energetic value might have played a vital role for HS to survive a new environment (the Northern latitudes) and the harshening of the climate that occurred in the late Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (MIS 3, 60-25 ka BP). Starch grains are conventionally analyzed by means of optical microscopy with bright and polarized2 light after washing/sampling archaeological materials either by pipetting or sonicating the selected portion of the GST surface, or by mechanical remotion. Indeed, the identification and recognition of starch grains is challenging because on the one hand their removal from GSTs requires invasive procedures that can invalidate a proper physical-chemical characterization, and on the other, necessitate a comparative reference collection.
We propose an integrated methodology3: from the extraction to the characterization of starch grains (but also of other biogenic residues) adhering to the archaeological GST surfaces, to test different approaches for their extraction. Our approach relies on the combination of morphological and chemoprofiling analyses, and by comparing the archaeological data to a tailored reference collection that includes aged starch granules from relevant plants potentially available during the MIS 3. We aim to enhance the narrative on the exploitation of available resources by hominins thriving in a given territory through a multi-disciplinary approach.
References
1Pederzani S.; Britton, K; Aldeias, V.; Bourgon N.; Fewlass, H.; Lauer T.; McPherron, S.; Rezek, Z.; Sirakov N.; Smith, G.M.; Spsov, R.; Tran, N.H. Tsanova, T.; Hunlin, J.J. Sci. Adv. 2021, 7(39), eabi4642
2Longo L.; Birarda G.; Cagnato C.; Badetti E.; Covalenco S.; Pantyukhina I.; Skakun N.; Terekhina V.; Vaccari L.; Sorrentino G. J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep. 2021, 103333.
3Project PRIN22 DD_n._104_del_02-02-2022 PRIN22 2022XX8BRT SMarT4BioArCH, CUP H53D23003960006, Europea – Next-GenerationEU - PNRR – Fondo per il Programma Nazionale di Ricerca e Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN)
30th EAA Annual Meeting
28 - 31 August 2024, Rome, Italy
https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA2024/Home/EAA2024/Home.aspx?hkey=ca9cb97a-9463-48dc-91b7-b8b214963ad8
Scientific program: https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA2024/Programme.aspx?WebsiteKey=20b5538d-68f8-4056-9596-1ae1ce0ead47&hkey=fe6595a9-39e9-47f1-8159-520091f89dfa&Program=3#Program
Harnessing innovation to decode the secrets of Paleolithic ground stone tools
Giusi Sorrentino1*, Clarissa Cagnato1, Laura Longo1, Elena Semenzin1, Antonio Marcomini1, Francesca Porpora2, Emiliano Carretti2, Elena Badetti1, Luigi Dei2
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Scientific Campus, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre (VE), Italy
2Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
*giusi.sorrentino@unive.it
Keywords: Starch grains, Ground Stone Tools, Extraction procedure, Morphological analysis, Chemoprofiling
Abstract
Starch, a reserve of polysaccharides stored in plant amyloplasts, was discovered alongside use-wear traces on ground stone tools (GSTs) dating back to the Late Pleistocene: Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (MIS 3, 60-25 ka BP). This suggests that Homo sapiens (HS) was actively processing various plant organs during its diffusion into Eurasia. Traditional starch grain analysis involves morphometric characterization using optical microscopy with bright and polarized light, typically after sampling from archaeological artifacts using wet or dry extraction procedures.
We propose an integrated methodology for the characterization of starch grains adhering to the archaeological GST working areas, testing different approaches for their extraction. Indeed, traditional removal procedures can interfere with their physico-chemical characterization and impact on the GST use-wear trace analysis. Additionally, proper characterization necessitates a comparative reference collection. Our approach relies on the combination of traditional morphological characterization merged with cutting-edge chemoprofiling techniques enhanced by innovative extraction procedures. Moreover, it has allowed further analysis including the comparison with a tailored reference collection of starch granules from plants potentially available during MIS 3 in the relevant geographical area(s). Through this multidisciplinary approach we aim to enhance the narrative on the exploitation of available resources by hominins thriving in a given territory.
Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR) of Italy, Project PRIN 2022 2022XX8BRT PNRR, “SMarT4BioArCH”, CUP Master B53DZ3014020006, financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, is gratefully acknowledged for financial support.
SCI 2024 – XXVIII National Congress
August 26th to August 30th, 2024,
Milan
Scientific program: https://sci2024.org/programme/
Seminario a Unive: 21 Maggio
Giusi Sorrentino e Francesca Porpora
SMarT4BioArCH: a project for the recovery and study of ancient starch from archaeological artefacts
Abstract
The recovery and analysis of starch grains from archaeological contexts— including from ground stone tools—are key to reconstructing artifact use-histories and, consequently, gaining insight into ancient human behaviors, particularly their relationship with plants. As part of the SMarT4BioArCH project, we are developing innovative smart materials that act as reversible adsorbents, capturing and releasing residues from archaeological stone artifacts. These minimally invasive materials aim to improve the recovery of biogenic residues such as starch, enabling robust analyses to support archaeological interpretation.
19th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry 2025 (ISMSC2025)
May 25-30, 2025, Kyoto, Japan
Scientific program: https://www.ismsc2025.com/program.html
POSTER: ACCEPTED
Supramolecular Materials to Disclose Palaeolithic Stone Tools as Bio-Archives
E. Badettia, G. Sorrentinoa, L. Longoa, C. Cagnatoa, A. Marcominia, F. Porporab, S. Baldinib, E. Carrettib, L. Deib
aCa’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Mestre-Venezia
bUniversity of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino
e-mail: elena.badetti@unive.it
The investigation of starch grains and use-wear traces from ground stone tools (GSTs) dating to the Late Pleistocene have provided evidence that Homo sapiens (HS) was grinding plants during its dispersal into Eurasia.1 Starch is the reserve of polysaccharides, and its high energetic value might have played a vital role for HS to survive a new environment (the Northern latitudes) and the harshening of the climate that occurred in the late Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (60-25 ka BP). Nevertheless, accessing GSTs presents practical and scientific challenges. Since the 1970s, silicone-based molds have been used to replicate surface textures for microscopic analysis, valued for their fine detail reproduction and dimensional stability. However, this invasive procedure can invalidate a proper physical-chemical characterization of ancient organic residues remaining entrapped within the mold. As part of the SMart4BioArCH project2, we are developing smart supramolecular materials acting as reversible adsorbents for entrapping and releasing biogenic residues from the archaeological GSTs. These materials aim to enable more reliable and minimally invasive recovery of starch from GSTs while ensuring robust analysis to support archaeological efforts and opening up the possibility of identifying a broader range of resources used in prehistoric times.
References:
[1] G. Birarda, E. Badetti, C. Cagnato, G. Sorrentino, I. Pantyukhina, C. Stani, S. Dal Zilio, G. Khlopachev, S. Covalenco, T. Obada, N. Skakun, A. Sinitsyn, V. Terekhina, A. Marcomini, C. Lubritto, N. Cefarin, L. Vaccari & L. Longo, Scientific Reports 2023, 13, 21713.
[2] Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR) of Italy, Project PRIN 2022 2022XX8BRT PNRR, “SMarT4BioArCH”, CUP Master B53DZ3014020006, financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, is gratefully acknowledged for financial support.
31st EAA Annual Meeting
2–6 September 2025, Belgrade Virtual
ORAL: ACCEPTED
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Lithic Artifact Surface Modifications: Evaluating the Use of Molds
Giusi Sorrentino (*, a), Marco Paggi (b), Laura Longo (a), Fabrizio Antonelli (c), Laura Falchi (a), Elena Badetti (a)
(a) Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice
(b) IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca
(c) Department of Architecture and Arts, Iuav University of Venice
* giusi.sorrentino@unive.it
Keywords: PVS mold, surface texture analysis, ground stone tools
The study of lithic industries is central to prehistoric archaeology, with manufacturing traces and use-wear patterns essential for reconstructing artifact life histories. Since the 1970s, silicone-based molds have been widely used to replicate surface textures for microscopic analysis, valued for their fine detail reproduction and dimensional stability. This has enabled both morphological analysis and quantitative measurements using techniques such as profilometry and confocal microscopy. However, despite their widespread use, few studies have rigorously assessed their accuracy in reproducing surface details, particularly their ability to percolate in surface valleys and capture fine textures. Most research has focused on bones, teeth, and flint tools, while their effectiveness on other lithic artifacts, such as ground stone tools (GSTs), remains poorly investigated due to surface unevenness and heterogeneous textures, complicating evaluation from the sampling stage onward. Additionally, the potential impacts of molding, including surface damage and silicone contamination, are difficult to assess.
To ensure reliable qualitative and quantitative analyses, these factors must be studied and quantified. This research applies imaging techniques, morphometric evaluation, CT scanning, and physical-chemical analysis to a reference collection of GST replicas constructed based on archaeological artifacts from various Upper Paleolithic sites, exhibiting diverse lithologies and textures. By evaluating mold replication accuracy and its effects on GSTs, this research will support informed decision-making in archaeological studies of surface modifications, as well as conservation and restoration strategies.
This study was performed with the support of SMarT4BioArCH project: Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca of Italy, Project PRIN2022 2022XX8BRT PNRR, CUP Master B53DZ3014020006. Next Generation EU, is gratefully acknowledged for financial support.
POSTER: ACCEPTED
The Role of Starch Aging in Reconstructing Prehistoric Diets
Giusi Sorrentino (*, a), Clarissa Cagnato (a), Laura Longo (a), Francesca Porpora (b), Emiliano Carretti (b), Luigi Dei (b), Elena Badetti (a)
(a) Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice
(b) Chemistry Department “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence
* giusi.sorrentino@unive.it
Keywords: Starch; Reference collection; Aging test; Imaging techniques.
Ground stone tools (GSTs) preserve evidence of past human activities such as resource processing that include the elaboration of plants for nutritional purposes. Residues, such as starch grains, provide evidence of these activities. These micrometric grains (1–100 μm) are identified by their morphology and size, which vary by plant species and organs.
The presence of different starch grains on a single GST suggests the processing of multiple plants, potentially reflecting multi-ingredient dishes. Organic residues, however, face preservation challenges in archaeological contexts, making careful recovery and identification crucial for accurately reconstructing ancient diets. In particular, archaeological starch grains are typically altered by time, burial conditions, and ancient processing methods such as heating or grinding.
In the framework of the SMarT4BioArCH project1, we developed a reference collection of starch extracted from various plant organs that may have been available for Homo sapiens consumption during MIS 3 (60-25 ky BP). Multiple aging tests were conducted on the modern starches and using various imaging techniques, we observed the impact of these different treatments on starch granules. Comparing the morphology of modern damaged granules with the ancient ones can further aid in their identification, in turn revealing a wider range of plant resources that may have been utilized in prehistoric diets than previously recognized.
[1]Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca of Italy, Project PRIN2022 2022XX8BRT PNRR, CUP Master B53DZ3014020006. Next Generation EU, is gratefully acknowledged for financial support.
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