Feb 08, 2026
POT-FLOW a field-to-lab protocol to optimize the integrated analysis of pottery vessels contents
- Marian Berihuete-Azorín1,
- Aitor Burguet-Coca2,3,
- Asier Vallejo4,
- Josep Maria Vergés2,3,
- Ethel Allué2,3
- 1Autonomous University of Barcelona, Prehistory Department;
- 2IPHES-CERCA;
- 3URV;
- 4EHU
Protocol Citation: Marian Berihuete-Azorín, Aitor Burguet-Coca, Asier Vallejo, Josep Maria Vergés, Ethel Allué 2026. POT-FLOW a field-to-lab protocol to optimize the integrated analysis of pottery vessels contents. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6qpvry7qogmk/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: February 07, 2026
Last Modified: February 08, 2026
Protocol Integer ID: 242858
Keywords: Pottery, Archaeology, Foodcrust, Optimized, Organic Residue Analysis, Food, analysis of pottery vessels content, pottery vessels content, ceramic vessel analysis, study of ceramic sherd, chemical analysis, requirements of each analytical method, ceramic sherd, pot, avoiding contamination, analytical technique, lab protocol, analytical techniques on the same fragment, specific procedure, further analytical step, physical integrity of fragile remain, analytical method, such as foodcrust
Funders Acknowledgements:
Marian Berihuete-Azorín
Grant ID: RYC2021-032364-I funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR
Aitor Burguet-Coca
Grant ID: RYC2024-051168-I funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ESF+
Abstract
This contribution presents a sampling and decision-making protocol (Pot-Flow) designed to optimise the study of ceramic sherds that may have contained organic products such as drinks or foods. The protocol is based on the principle of minimising unnecessary manipulation while enabling the application of a maximum number of analytical techniques on the same fragment. It proposes a logical workflow that considers both specific procedures and the requirements of each analytical method, and structures around observable attributes and conditional steps.
The primary aim of this early selection of candidate sherds directly in the field is to preserve as much information as possible from each by ensuring the physical integrity of fragile remains—such as foodcrusts and micro-remains—and avoiding contamination that could compromise chemical analyses. The protocol was tested during the 2025 season at the El Mirador site (Atapuerca, Spain), which allowed us to implement modifications and improvements reflected in this final version.
Overall, Pot-Flow serves as a framework for a series of further analytical steps, with specific protocols developed for ceramic vessel analysis and can be adapted to the particular conditions of each field intervention and to any chronological period.
PROTOCOL FLOW-CHART
Attachments
POT-FLOW labels.docx
359KB
Guidelines
When selecting ceramics for potential analysis, if there is any doubt during fieldwork, it is best to collect them following the protocol and discard them later if necessary.
Materials
Gloves
Spoon/ tool for scooping
Distilled water, alcohol or acetone to clean the spoon
Tin foil
Bags
Labels
Pencil
Troubleshooting
Safety warnings
This protocol systematizes only how to take the samples and the chain of custody from field to museum. For food crust study and for analytical chemistry analysis follow the specific protocols of each discipline.
Protocols should be adapted to each particular site. In the case of this one, please discuss it with your team, specially with colleagues carrying out the field work, archaeobotanists and chemists. Make sure all team members know how to follow the necessary steps of the protocol.
FIELD
EXPOSITION OF A POTTERY SHERD OR VESSEL during excavation
Fig. 1. Pot-sherds uncovered in situ during excavation (Picture J.M
Vergès-IPHES-CERCA)
FIELD SAMPLINGSample
Note
IF non detectable crust and specific features (such as rim, base, particular clay of size) jump to step 5
Take in situ pictures/ document
Wrap the sherd in tin foil, always use globes and clean equipment and manipulate as indicated by the person in charge of chemical analyis
Take sediment control sample (underneath the ceramic, preferably of the sediment in contact with the internal part of the vessel and), always use globes and clean equipment and manipulate as indicated by the person in charge of chemical analyis and handle to the specialist
Use the Pot-Flow or similar label to identify your sherd and control sample
Add information to the database
LABORATORY
SHERDS WITH VISIBLE FOODCRUST
Note
Foodcrust analyisis is carried out by specialists following dedicated protocols, such as Arranz et al. under revision or Heiss et al. in preparation
Macro-picture of the full object
Stereomicroscope picture and grid drawing over regions with crust
ESEM/ HIROX scanning and decision on sputtering/ not sputtering
Note
IF sputtering go first to STEP 4
SAMPLING FOR ORGANIC RESIDUE ANALYSISSample
Note
When sampling for chemical analysis always follow standardized protocols such as Vallejo et al. 2023
Fig. 2. Sampling of a pot sherd from El Mirador for analytical chemistry analysis.
POTTERY STUDY
WASH/ CLEAN as planned for the site
Note
After all analysis are performed, IF the sherd with crust is deemed suitable for musealization go directly to step 7
INVENTORY according with the site standards
FORMAL STUDY by the person in charge
Protocol references
Asier Vallejo, Vincenza Forgia, Josep Maria Vergès, Ane Gorostizu-Orkaiztegi,Tatiana Couceiro-Couto, Gaia Santori-Rosa, Alicia Sánchez-Ortega, “Biomarcatori organici come strumento per identificare le attività pastorali e alimentari a Vallone Inferno”. Il riparo di Vallone Inferno (Madonie, Sicilia). Attività umane, ambiente e paesaggio negli ultimi settemila anni, 79-89, eBook ISBN 978-1-407-361147, BAR Publishing, 2023, Italia, https://doi.org/10.30861/9781407361130
Expósito, I., Allué, E., Burjachs, F., 2022. Vegetation and Climate at El Mirador Cave: Exploring the Beginning of Cultural Landscapes, in: Allué, E., Martín, P., Vergès, J.M. (Eds.), Prehistoric Herders and Farmers: A Transdisciplinary Overview to the Archeological Record from El Mirador Cave, Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 35–55.