A broad range of biogeochemical techniques encompassing a wide array of disciplines is successfully being used to address key questions in archaeological research, including chronology, migration, trade, palaeopathology and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The aim of the session was to focus particularly on the developments in palaeodietary studies, which inform about population dynamics and socio-cultural characteristics of different communities over space and time. Biogeochemical techniques in particular have shown a remarkable adeptness at acquiring data from a variety of archaeological substrates, such as ceramics, lithics, textiles, sediments, plant remains, and human and animal tissues, including dental calculus. These techniques allow an intensive exploitation of archaeological material, especially organics, which are often preserved in small quantities and would otherwise not have been considered viable for analysis. The success of this approach is attested by the wide range of publications detailing the development and application of novel techniques, targeted towards answering fundamental archaeological questions. This was also reflected in the broad range of analytical methodologies presented during the session, which comprised bulk light and heavy stable isotope analysis that allows a better understanding of the composition of ancient diets, characterization of foodstuffs absorbed within ceramic vessels using lipid residue analysis, identification of protein sequences informing on dietary deficiencies, studies on microbial communities associated with the production of specific food types, and microscopic techniques used on teeth and dental calculus to recover palaeodietary information.