Biomolecular analyses of ancient cooking pots to reconstruct foodways

Reconstructing foodways can provide archaeologists insight into the relationship between past people and their lived environments. My project explores two innovative and complementary methods of biomolecular analysis – shotgun proteomics and lipid residue analysis – for the identification of foods eaten in the past. By identifying proteins and lipids from food cooked in Late Moche ancient pottery vessels from Huaca Colorada (Peru), my research aims to (1) contribute to interpretations of cooking technology, (2) provide additional insights into Late Moche foodways, and (3) optimize biochemical methodologies for ancient ceramics. I will undertake specialized training in lipid residue analysis through an internship at the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. As neither proteomics nor lipid residue analysis has yet been applied at Huaca Colorada, my research promises to contribute significantly to overall interpretations of foodways and human-environment relations at the site. The proposed project will be a prominent element of my PhD thesis and will more generally benefit my career and professional network.

Faculty Supervisor:

Camilla Filomena Speller

Student:

Partner:

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Technology; Other

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: