Investigating the function of late-Neolithic ‘husking trays’ from Syrian Jazira through integrated use-alteration and phytolith analyses

•Combining use-alteration and phytolith analyses allows us to understand pottery function.•Use-wear and residues on archaeological artefacts reveal ancient culinary practices.•In the Near East, bread products could have been consumed since prehistoric times.•The scores inside the trays worked as an anti-adhesive technology during Neolithic.•Use-wear on the ceramic surface are investigated through a multi-scale approach.