Pollen analysis of neolithic adhesives and comparative experimental archaeology: Insights from La Marmotta (Lake Bracciano, Rome).

This article presents a palynological study conducted on adhesive materials obtained from both experimental and archaeological wooden sickles. The archaeological sickles, dating back to the Early Neolithic period, were recovered from the waterlogged site of La Marmotta, located near Lake Bracciano in Rome, Italy. Experimental harvesting was carried out on cereal crops using sickles purposefully made with a modern resinous material that closely replicates the original composition. This approach allowed us to retrieve palynological information consistent with and comparable to that observed on ancient tools. The study's results highlighted the excellent adhesiveness of these materials, capable of trapping and preserving micro-remains collected during harvesting practices. The discovery of Hordeum -type and Avena - Triticum -type pollen grains confirmed the predominant use of these agricultural tools for cereal harvesting. Notably, one particular neolithic sickle, whose resin primarily retained Oenanthe -type pollen, stands out for its exclusive use in cutting herbaceous plants of potential medicinal interest. In parallel, the analysis of pollen content retained in modern cereal spikes confirmed their potential to provide information about the type of crop and, to some extent, the floristic component of the surrounding environment. • This study applies an innovative palynological and experimental approach to adhesive materials sampled from neolithic wooden sickles from the waterlogged archaeological site of La Marmotta near Lake Bracciano (Central Italy). • The results showed that the tools were employed for harvesting cereals, highlighting the occurrence of Hordeum -type and Avena-Triticum -type pollen, in agreement with carpological evidence. • The resin used as adhesive material from one sickle was exceptionally rich in Oenanthe -type pollen, indicating deliberate cutting and collection of plants with toxic and psychotropic properties. • The creation of comparative modern sickles equipped with a modern adhesive material (created based on GC-MS analyses of the neolithic specimens), allowed us to better understand the taphonomic processes involved in trapping micro-remains within the glue during the use of the tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]