Light Production by Ceramic Using Hunter-Gatherer-Fishers of the Circum-Baltic

Artificial illumination is a fundamental human need. Burning wood and other materials usually in hearths fireplaces extended daylight hours, whilst the use of flammable substances torches offered light on move. It increasingly understood that pottery played role production. In this study, we focus ceramic oval bowls, made used primarily by hunter-gatherer-fishers circum-Baltic over c. 2000 year period beginning mid-6th millennium cal bc . Oval bowls commonly occur alongside larger (cooking) vessels. Their function as ‘oil lamps’ for has been proposed many occasions but only limited direct evidence secured to test functional association. This study presents results molecular isotopic analysis preserved organic residues obtained from 115 25 archaeological sites representing wide range environmental settings. Our findings confirm were burning fats oils, predominantly purposes illumination. The derive tissues marine, freshwater, terrestrial organisms. Bulk isotope data charred surface deposits show consistently different pattern when are compared vessels within same assemblage. suggested around 55th parallel deployed material culture artificial production restricted times places where more durable technologies employed, including circum-Baltic.