I residui organici nella ceramica. Stato degli studi e prospettive di ricerca.

The organic residues which are sometimes found in pottery vases give a large contribution to the analyses of its functional aspects. They are direct evidence of the use of vases and give information about many aspects of ancient society. Chemical analyses (especially gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) can identify residues even if they are not visible on the surface of the vases. Such analyses are still rarely used in archaeology. However they could be of interest in cult places, where they could contribute to the reconstruction of ritual activities such as ritual meals and “psychoactive” practices.