Leather surviving

Most organic archaeological residues exist as amorphous biological remains in the archaeological record, but since they lack the macroscopic cellular structure present in seeds, wood, leather, or pollen they cannot be recognized by traditional microscopic techniques. Typical residues include food deposits surviving (either visibly on the surface, or invisibly absorbed... 

It has been suggested that vegetable tanning developed from a desire to colour oil or alum-processed skins. Interestingly the earliest surviving recipes for the preparation of leather, dating from Babylonian times about 3000 years ago, show that a combination of these three processes were employed ... 

Brady, C. (1999). Surviving the incident. In P. Leather et al. (eds) Work-Related Violence Assessment and Intervention. London Routledge. 

The fruit of the chestnut provided and still provides an important food for man, used in boiled, baked, roasted, stuffed or confectionery form, and as feed for animals as well. In 19th century Italy, 30 chestnut trees were considered a valuable dowry for the young bride and a warrant for survival in years of scarcity of food. In addition, the other products of the chestnut trees were widely used in former times as fuel (burrs), timber, and leaves as litter for cattle in the stables. Chestnut was, in former times, a valuable source of tannin for the production of leather. 

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