Pottery Functions in Early Agricultural Society: Insights from Microbotanical Analysis at the Peiligang Site

This study explores the multifunctional roles of pottery vessels from burials during the early development of agriculture at the Neolithic Peiligang site (8000 BP) in North China. A total of 80 vessels were analyzed using microbotanical residue analysis to investigate plant-based activities and their contributions to early subsistence strategies. Starch grains from millet, rice, Job's tears, acorn, and tubers, along with phytoliths from various grasses, were identified, indicating the integration of agricultural products with wild resources. Starch damage patterns suggest that cylindrical jars were used for diverse purposes, including storage, alcohol production, and non-plant related activities. Gelatinized starches and alcohol starter related fungi were predominantly recovered from globular jars and a small amphora, pointing to their specialized use in beer brewing and serving in ritual contexts. These findings demonstrate the versatile functions of pottery in food production, storage, and ceremonial practices, offering new insights into early Neolithic lifeways and the agricultural transition.