This book is a symposium report on the different aspects of decomposition and identification of ancient organic material, especially food. The chapters have different authors: R. Rottländer: Fat analysis; H. Schlichtherle: microscopical investigation of plant residues; H. Müller-Beck: excavation; B. Dubois: ceramic typology; M. Hopf: carbonization of plant residues; K. H. Knörzer: oil seeds; H. J. Mallach: forensic problems with decomposition; H. Knoll; analysis of ceramics.