Study of the Composition of Organic Residues on Ceramics from the Bottom of the Kerch Bay

The research presents the results of studying a series of samples of organic materials preserved on the inner surface of ancient ceramic vessels which were found at the bottom of the Kerch Bay during underwater archaeological excavations. Using the method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the composition of organic compounds was determined and the contents of the vessels were identified: traces of olive oil were found in five, traces of fish products in nine, traces of wine in 32 (17 from red grape varieties, 15 from white grape varieties)), and one contained traces of turpentine oil. In six vessels, traces of both wine and fatty acids were found, which can probably be considered a sign of reuse of the container. The obtained results are a valuable source of data on the range and geography of commodity supplies in antiquity.