Proteomics and integrated techniques to characterize organic residues in funerary findings from Italic populations of the first millennium B.C.

Analysis of organic residues from different typologies of ancient funerary pottery found in graves at two archaeological sites of Campania Region in southern Italy and dating back to the age of the Italic populations during the first millennium BC. Several analytical techniques have been exploited. Proteomics was decisive for the characterization of the proteins and the assignment of the species of origin. Samples were encrustations on two bowls of the 3rd-4th century BC unhearted in Capua and one Phoenician-type amphora with unusual shape, found in a grave at the necropolis of the Greek colony in Cuma (7th century BC). Concretions on bowls were identified with the decisive contribution of proteomics as bovine bone. The amphora contained 2,500 years old bovine milk.