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Science 20 November 1998:
Vol. 282. no. 5393, pp. 1478 - 1481
DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5393.1478
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Reports

Direct Demonstration of Milk as an Element of Archaeological Economies

Stephanie N. Dudd, Richard P. Evershed *

The stable carbon isotope (delta 13C) compositions of individual fatty acid components of remnant fats preserved in archaeological pottery vessels show that dairying was a component of archaeological economies. Characteristic delta 13C values arise from biases in the biosynthetic origins of the C18:0 fatty acids in milk and adipose fat. Milk and adipose fat from animals raised on similar pastures and fodders have distinct isotopic signatures.

Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: r.p.evershed{at}bristol.ac.uk

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