In this study, a soil from two ceramic vessels belonging to Corded Ware culture, 2707⁻2571 B.C., found in a cremation grave discovered in Central Moravia, Czech Republic, was analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization⁻mass spectrometry (MALDI⁻MS) combined with advanced statistical treatment (principal component analysis, PCA, and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis, OPLS-DA) and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MALDI⁻MS revealed the presence of triacylglycerols in both vessels. This analytical technique was used for the analysis of the soil content from archaeological ceramic vessels for the first time. Targeted ELISA experiments consequently proved the presence of milk proteins in both ceramic vessels. These results represent the first direct evidence of the use of milk or dairy products in the Eneolithic period in Moravian Corded Ware Culture and help to better understand the diet habits and living conditions of Eneolithic populations in Central Europe.

Archaeological Centre Olomouc U Hradiska 42 6 779 00 Olomouc Czech Republic

Centre of Biology Geoscience and Environmental Education University of West Bohemia Sedláčkova 15 30614 Plzeň Czech Republic

Institute of Archaeological Heritage Brno Kaloudova 1321 30 614 00 Brno Czech Republic

Laboratory of Archaeobotany and Palaeoecology Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia Na Zlaté stoce 3 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Laboratory of Morphology and Forensic Anthropology Department of Anthropology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic

Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Department of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Science Palacký University 17 listopadu 12 779 00 Olomouc Czech Republic

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