Domestic food practice and vessel-use at Salūt-ST1, central Oman, during the Umm an-Nar period

Abstract

Investigations into everyday food practices during the Umm an-Nar period (c.2700–2000 bc) in the Oman Peninsula are limited. We studied lipid residues in pottery from Salūt-ST1, an Umm an-Nar stone tower in central Oman, to understand domestic practices and vessel use in locally-produced Sandy Wares, regionally-produced Fine Red Omani Wares and imported Indus Black-Slipped Jars between c. 2460–2150 bc. Degraded animal fats were found in a majority of the vessels, and we report the first direct detection of dairy products in Umm an-Nar vessels. The use of non-ruminant fats, plants and/or mixtures of different products is also suggested. Variations in lipid concentrations and contents of Fine Red Omani Wares and Sandy Wares suggest different uses for these vessel categories. Finally, the detection of a range of products (ruminant meat, dairy fats, non-ruminant fats and mixtures) in Indus Black-Slipped Jars from the site indicates vessel multifunctionality and reuse of the vessels.