- Laboratory of Palynology and Palaeobotany
V.le Caduti in Guerra 127 - 41121 Modena (Italy)
- Anna Maria Mercuriedit
This paper presents the study of parasite remains recovered in pollen samples collected from archaeological layers. Laboratory treatment enabled us to ob- tain very high concentrations of both pollen and parasite eggs from the same... more
This paper presents the study of parasite remains recovered in pollen samples collected from archaeological layers. Laboratory treatment enabled us to ob- tain very high concentrations of both pollen and parasite eggs from the same samples. The case study of the site of Piazza Garibaldi in Parma, a town in the Po plain, is reported. The site was a sacred area in Roman times and a market square in Medieval times (10th–11th century A.D.). Pollen, seeds, and fruits from the latter phase were collected from four Medieval pits and one cesspit. After a palynological treatment including sieving, floating, and light acetolysis, abundant quantities of parasite eggs were extracted. Human and animal parasite eggs belonging to Trichuris, Ascaris, Taenia/Echinococcus, Capillaria, Dicrocoelium, and Diphyllobothrium were found. The analyses of an- imal and plant remains identified in the same samples suggested that the pit infillings consisted of waste, human and animal excrements, deteriorated plant food, and refuse of grapes. Therefore, parasite remains help the inter- pretation of archaeobotanical data in identifying human behaviors and site functions.
Research Interests:
Integration of pollen data from both marine and terrestrial cores contributes to the understanding of the timing of the climatic and human forces that shaped the cultural landscapes in the Italian peninsula. This paper focuses on the... more
Integration of pollen data from both marine and terrestrial cores contributes to the understanding of the timing of the climatic and human forces that shaped the cultural landscapes in the Italian peninsula. This paper focuses on the relation between natural and human land- scapes, and the development of the cultural landscape from the Bronze Age to the medieval period and modern times. Two records were studied within independent projects, first the marine core RF93-30, from the central Adriatic, with a sediment source area including the Po valley and which spans the last 7,000 years, and secondly, material from the site of Terramara di Montale, a Bronze Age settlement on the Po plain, which was occupied from approximately 3550–3200 cal. B.P. The original chronology of the marine core was developed by using the magnetic inclination of the secular variation record and two 14C dates carried out on benthic and planktic foraminifera at depths of 527 and 599 cm. Its pollen record shows a gradual irreversible trend towards increasing aridity since 5700 cal. B.P. and, just after around 5100 cal. B.P., a Picea decline and a Quercus
ilex type increase indicate less cool conditions. Human impact introduces rapid changes, such as the decrease of Abies alba, thinned by the reduction of precipitation and further cleared before or during the Early Bronze Age, followed by the fall of oaks. The latter started after around 3900 cal. B.P., and became evident at around 3600 cal. B.P. The gradual increase in signs of open landscape and woodland clearance correspond to the onset of Middle Bronze Age settlements in the Po valley, and to the development of the cultural landscape in the region. The impact of the terramare people includes woodland man- agement by coppicing, and division of the territory into a patchwork of pastures and fields. Dry environments are indicated mainly by Cichorioideae, resulting from the continued human pressure, and these spread since the Recent Bronze Age. Of the possible causes for the decline of the terramare, we suggest that climate would have been less important in the decline than in the onset phases. The later cultural landscapes are mainly indicated by the trends of the Olea, Juglans and Castanea (OJC) records, besides those of cereals. At around 700 cal. B.P., the ‘‘chestnut landscape’’ spread while modern times are shown by the finds of Zea mays.
ilex type increase indicate less cool conditions. Human impact introduces rapid changes, such as the decrease of Abies alba, thinned by the reduction of precipitation and further cleared before or during the Early Bronze Age, followed by the fall of oaks. The latter started after around 3900 cal. B.P., and became evident at around 3600 cal. B.P. The gradual increase in signs of open landscape and woodland clearance correspond to the onset of Middle Bronze Age settlements in the Po valley, and to the development of the cultural landscape in the region. The impact of the terramare people includes woodland man- agement by coppicing, and division of the territory into a patchwork of pastures and fields. Dry environments are indicated mainly by Cichorioideae, resulting from the continued human pressure, and these spread since the Recent Bronze Age. Of the possible causes for the decline of the terramare, we suggest that climate would have been less important in the decline than in the onset phases. The later cultural landscapes are mainly indicated by the trends of the Olea, Juglans and Castanea (OJC) records, besides those of cereals. At around 700 cal. B.P., the ‘‘chestnut landscape’’ spread while modern times are shown by the finds of Zea mays.
Research Interests:
Available online xxx 1. Introduction Plants are basic elements of cultural evolution. Both their past and present uses and the development of human environments support this simple assumption. The effects of human action range from low... more
Available online xxx
1. Introduction
Plants are basic elements of cultural evolution. Both their past and present uses and the development of human environments support this simple assumption. The effects of human action range from low influence to high impact on vegetation, depending on the scale (space) and duration (time) of its presence in a given territory (Mercuri et al., 2010a). The transformation of natural into cultural landscapes is the result of millennia of human activities. These have had direct and indirect effects on the environment that led, and still lead, to clear changes in vegetation cover (Fægri and Iversen, 1989). The life sciences firstly investigate these changes by exploring the morphological and genetic diversity of flora, and
* Corresponding author. E-mail address: annamaria.mercuri@unimore.it (A.M. Mercuri).
1040-6182/$ e see front matter ! 2013 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.01.005
Pollen data from three off-site records and twenty-six on-site (archaeological) sites are reviewed to investigate the development of cultural landscapes through the history of the olive, walnut and chestnut trees in the Italian peninsula from the Late Glacial to late Holocene. The spread of these trees, which have been gathered or cultivated since ancient times, though not marked by high values in pollen diagrams, is an important indicator of increasing human activity and anthropization in the Mediterranean area.
The sum of Olea, Juglans and Castanea percentages in pollen spectra constitutes the OJC curve. The off-site records discussed are core RF93-30 from the Adriatic Sea (last 7000 years), and cores PALB94-1E of Lago Albano and PNEM94-1B of Lago di Nemi, two lakes in the Latium region (last 13,000 years). The on-site records are located in several regions (Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily) and in the Republic of San Marino. Their chronology spans approximately from the Bronze to the Renais- sance ages, from 4200 to 500 BP. The simultaneous presence of OJC in the off-sites and in all the archaeo- logical sites confirms that these trees were widespread in the Italian peninsula during the last four millennia. The OJC pollen sum shows low values but Olea, Castanea and Juglans are common in Bronze age sites from northern Italy, when their percentages increase in the off-site records. In Hellenistic and Roman times, there are sharp increments of their curves in the off-sites, and values of Olea are especially high in archaeological sites of southern Italy. The highest values of OJC, especially due to Castanea, are found in records of the Middle ages. Juglans is significant but less frequent in both the archaeological sites and the off-sites.
The cultivation of walnut and chestnut trees in pre-Roman times may have included local stands. The nurturing for wood may have had negative effects on pollen fallout while the flowering of plants was favoured to obtain fruits.
As humans exploited the natural resources they interfered with the distribution of useful plants. The development of human environments in a modern sense, however, is a relatively recent phenomenon. It has largely caused the expansion of complex agrarian landscapes, including fields, pastures and groves.
1. Introduction
Plants are basic elements of cultural evolution. Both their past and present uses and the development of human environments support this simple assumption. The effects of human action range from low influence to high impact on vegetation, depending on the scale (space) and duration (time) of its presence in a given territory (Mercuri et al., 2010a). The transformation of natural into cultural landscapes is the result of millennia of human activities. These have had direct and indirect effects on the environment that led, and still lead, to clear changes in vegetation cover (Fægri and Iversen, 1989). The life sciences firstly investigate these changes by exploring the morphological and genetic diversity of flora, and
* Corresponding author. E-mail address: annamaria.mercuri@unimore.it (A.M. Mercuri).
1040-6182/$ e see front matter ! 2013 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.01.005
Pollen data from three off-site records and twenty-six on-site (archaeological) sites are reviewed to investigate the development of cultural landscapes through the history of the olive, walnut and chestnut trees in the Italian peninsula from the Late Glacial to late Holocene. The spread of these trees, which have been gathered or cultivated since ancient times, though not marked by high values in pollen diagrams, is an important indicator of increasing human activity and anthropization in the Mediterranean area.
The sum of Olea, Juglans and Castanea percentages in pollen spectra constitutes the OJC curve. The off-site records discussed are core RF93-30 from the Adriatic Sea (last 7000 years), and cores PALB94-1E of Lago Albano and PNEM94-1B of Lago di Nemi, two lakes in the Latium region (last 13,000 years). The on-site records are located in several regions (Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily) and in the Republic of San Marino. Their chronology spans approximately from the Bronze to the Renais- sance ages, from 4200 to 500 BP. The simultaneous presence of OJC in the off-sites and in all the archaeo- logical sites confirms that these trees were widespread in the Italian peninsula during the last four millennia. The OJC pollen sum shows low values but Olea, Castanea and Juglans are common in Bronze age sites from northern Italy, when their percentages increase in the off-site records. In Hellenistic and Roman times, there are sharp increments of their curves in the off-sites, and values of Olea are especially high in archaeological sites of southern Italy. The highest values of OJC, especially due to Castanea, are found in records of the Middle ages. Juglans is significant but less frequent in both the archaeological sites and the off-sites.
The cultivation of walnut and chestnut trees in pre-Roman times may have included local stands. The nurturing for wood may have had negative effects on pollen fallout while the flowering of plants was favoured to obtain fruits.
As humans exploited the natural resources they interfered with the distribution of useful plants. The development of human environments in a modern sense, however, is a relatively recent phenomenon. It has largely caused the expansion of complex agrarian landscapes, including fields, pastures and groves.
Saharan anthropic deposits from archaeological sites, located along wadis or close to lakes, and sedimentary sequences from permanent and dried basins demonstrate that water has always been an attractive environmental feature, especially... more
Saharan anthropic deposits from archaeological sites, located along wadis or close to lakes, and
sedimentary sequences from permanent and dried basins demonstrate that water has always been
an attractive environmental feature, especially during periods of drought. This paper reports on two
very different examples of Holocene sites where “humans and water” coexisted during dry periods,
as observed by stratigraphic, archaeological and palynological evidence. Independent research was
carried out on the Jefara Plain (Libya, 32°N) and the Gobero area (Niger, 17°N), at the extreme
northern and southern limits of the Sahara, respectively.
The histories of the Jefara and Gobero areas, as revealed by the archaeological and palaeoenvironmental
reconstructions, suggest that these areas were likely to have been visited and exploited for a long
time, acting as anthropic refugia, and therefore they have been profoundly transformed. Human presence
and actions have conditioned the local growing of plants and selected a more or less synanthropic
flora. Today, modern conservation strategies should take into consideration that water reservoirs, which
are crucial for the long-term conservation of biodiversity, have provided refugia in the past just as they
presently do under global warming conditions.
sedimentary sequences from permanent and dried basins demonstrate that water has always been
an attractive environmental feature, especially during periods of drought. This paper reports on two
very different examples of Holocene sites where “humans and water” coexisted during dry periods,
as observed by stratigraphic, archaeological and palynological evidence. Independent research was
carried out on the Jefara Plain (Libya, 32°N) and the Gobero area (Niger, 17°N), at the extreme
northern and southern limits of the Sahara, respectively.
The histories of the Jefara and Gobero areas, as revealed by the archaeological and palaeoenvironmental
reconstructions, suggest that these areas were likely to have been visited and exploited for a long
time, acting as anthropic refugia, and therefore they have been profoundly transformed. Human presence
and actions have conditioned the local growing of plants and selected a more or less synanthropic
flora. Today, modern conservation strategies should take into consideration that water reservoirs, which
are crucial for the long-term conservation of biodiversity, have provided refugia in the past just as they
presently do under global warming conditions.
Research Interests:
Interdisciplinary researches including archaeological, historical and palynological investigations allow detailed reconstruction of the Holocene environmental changes linked to human activities . Microscopic plant remains (pollen and... more
Interdisciplinary researches including archaeological, historical and palynological investigations allow detailed reconstruction of the Holocene environmental changes linked to human activities . Microscopic plant remains (pollen and non-pollenpalynomorphs-NPPs: algal and fungal spores and cysts, and other microfossils of biological origin) play key roles in palaeoecological reconstruction. The combined evidence of pollen and NPPs from archaeological records is especially useful in discriminating land uses and pastoral/breeding activities.
In pollen diagrams, the clearest signal for pastoralism is given by the abundance of plants reflecting animal breeding and grazing areas, such as daisy-family (Cichorieae and Asteroideae). In addition to these pollen pasture indicators, NPPs – with special attention paid to dung-related fungi (e.g. Sordaria, Sporormiella, Podospora and Cercophora) – can be used to assess the presence of past fauna, in particular herbivores. Altogether, the pasture indicators from palynological investigations help to identify pastoral sites and routes otherwise not clear from the archaeological record alone.
Archaeological layers from sites dated from Hellenistic to Medieval periods in Basilicata (southern Italy) give a palynological dataset that may be of key relevance for understanding the past pastoralism practised in the area in the last 2500 years. 121 pollen samples were taken from small trenches, rooms or floors of houses, and spot samples. Data point to an open landscape dominated by pastures and cereal fields. Important evidence of pastoral farming rises from the joint record of pollen grazing indicators and spores of coprophilous fungi. This dataset highlight the pressure of pastoralism in the past and support the idea of the importance of the ancient pasture farming as a major agent of landscape transformation in this Mediterranean region.
In pollen diagrams, the clearest signal for pastoralism is given by the abundance of plants reflecting animal breeding and grazing areas, such as daisy-family (Cichorieae and Asteroideae). In addition to these pollen pasture indicators, NPPs – with special attention paid to dung-related fungi (e.g. Sordaria, Sporormiella, Podospora and Cercophora) – can be used to assess the presence of past fauna, in particular herbivores. Altogether, the pasture indicators from palynological investigations help to identify pastoral sites and routes otherwise not clear from the archaeological record alone.
Archaeological layers from sites dated from Hellenistic to Medieval periods in Basilicata (southern Italy) give a palynological dataset that may be of key relevance for understanding the past pastoralism practised in the area in the last 2500 years. 121 pollen samples were taken from small trenches, rooms or floors of houses, and spot samples. Data point to an open landscape dominated by pastures and cereal fields. Important evidence of pastoral farming rises from the joint record of pollen grazing indicators and spores of coprophilous fungi. This dataset highlight the pressure of pastoralism in the past and support the idea of the importance of the ancient pasture farming as a major agent of landscape transformation in this Mediterranean region.
The agricultural landscape of the Terramara of Baggiovara “17th – 16th cent. B.C.” The paper reports pollen data obtained by the analyses of samples taken from the Terramara of Baggiovara (Modena), dated from 17th to 16th century BC.... more
The agricultural landscape of the Terramara of Baggiovara “17th – 16th cent. B.C.”
The paper reports pollen data obtained by the analyses of samples taken from the Terramara of Baggiovara (Modena), dated
from 17th to 16th century BC.
Archaeobotanical analyses, integrated with palaeobotanical researches, carried out in some terramare of the region, gave
useful elements for the reconstruction of the plant landscape and human impact during the middle and late Bronze age of the
alluvional lowland area.
Data suggest that the landscape was open with low forest cover and most land devoted to agricultural activities (small
cereal and legume fields, alternated to extended pastures). The economy was mainly based on animal breeding rather than
cultivations. The pollen spectra show a high presence of biological records that are pastures indicators, cerealia and other
synananthropic indicators. Altogether, all these are important characters of anthropization.
The paper reports pollen data obtained by the analyses of samples taken from the Terramara of Baggiovara (Modena), dated
from 17th to 16th century BC.
Archaeobotanical analyses, integrated with palaeobotanical researches, carried out in some terramare of the region, gave
useful elements for the reconstruction of the plant landscape and human impact during the middle and late Bronze age of the
alluvional lowland area.
Data suggest that the landscape was open with low forest cover and most land devoted to agricultural activities (small
cereal and legume fields, alternated to extended pastures). The economy was mainly based on animal breeding rather than
cultivations. The pollen spectra show a high presence of biological records that are pastures indicators, cerealia and other
synananthropic indicators. Altogether, all these are important characters of anthropization.
The paper presents data from two records studied within independent projects: the marine core RF93-30, in central Adriatic, with a sediment source area including the Po Valley and the central and northern Appenines, and spanning the last... more
The paper presents data from two records studied within independent projects: the marine core RF93-30, in central Adriatic, with a sediment source area including the Po Valley and the central and northern Appenines, and spanning the last 7000 years; the Terramara di Montale, one of the most important terramaras which was settled in the Po plain from approximately 3550 to 3200 cal BP. The on-site/off-site and terrestrial/marine integration of pollen data has furnished pieces of evidence which contribute to the reconstruction of the time-scan and intensity of climate-human forces that shaped cultural landscapes in the Italian peninsula. The marine core shows a gradual but irreversible trend towards increasing aridity and evolution of a cultural landscape. From around 7570 cal BP, conifers were fairly spread and deciduous oak woods constituted the prevalent woody vegetation. Just after 4560 cal BP, the Betula and Picea decline marked a change towards relatively less cool conditions. The event was fairly synchronous to the increase of Mediterranean taxa (Pistacia-Quercus ilex type). At around 3620 cal BP, deciduous oaks and other broadleaved trees reached maximum expansion. Human impact introduces rapid changes, as the fall of silver fir (thinned by the decrease of precipitations and further cut before the Bronze age) followed by that of oaks at around 3600 cal BP. Then, gradual landscape openness coincided with dramatic fall of oaks corresponding to the onset of Middle Bronze age settlements in the Po Valley. The impact of terramaras includes wood management by coppicing, and patching of the territory in pastures and fields. Xeric environments, represented by Cichorioideae, resulting from the continuative human pressure, spread since the Recent Bronze age, reinforcing the aridification process. In the multi-causal explanation for the decline of terramaras event, we suggest that climate would have had a less important role in the decline than in the onset phases. Then, the evolution of the cultural landscape through pollen evidence is mainly be traced by the trends of Castanea, Juglans and Olea besides those of cereals. From around 3351 to 438 cal BP, subsequent forest reduction and renewal match the fairly gradual openess of the landscape responding to both drier climatic conditions (decline of Abies and Fagus) and increase of human pressure (increase of antropogenic pollen indicators). At around 1100 cal BP, there was a tendency of the Mediterranean evergreen woodland to degrade to shrubby open environments. At around 810 cal BP, the ‘chestnut landscape’ was so diffused in terrestrial environments that its fallout became clearly visible in the marine records. Evident deforestation events were coincident with the spread of cultivated trees, pasturelands and cereal fields during a wetter climatic phase. Modern times were marked by the findings of Zea mays while the chestnut landscape declined.
Key words: archaeobotany, archaeological sites, bronze age, climate change, environmental changes, human impact, marine core, pollen, terramara, Castanea
Key words: archaeobotany, archaeological sites, bronze age, climate change, environmental changes, human impact, marine core, pollen, terramara, Castanea
"Pollen data from three off-sites and twenty-six archaeological sites are revised to investigate the development of cultural landscapes through the history of olive, walnut and chestnut trees in the Italian Peninsula from the Late Glacial... more
"Pollen data from three off-sites and twenty-six archaeological sites are revised to investigate the development of cultural landscapes through the history of olive, walnut and chestnut trees in the Italian Peninsula from the Late Glacial to late Holocene. The spreading of these trees, that have been gathered or cultivated since ancient times, though not marked by high values in pollen diagrams, is an important indicator of increasing human activity and anthropization in the Mediterranean area.
The sum of Olea, Juglans and Castanea percentages in pollen spectra is the OJC curve. The off-sites discussed are core RF93-30 from Adriatic Sea (last 7000 years), and cores PALB94-1E of Lago Albano and PNEM94-1B of Lago di Nemi from Latium lakes (last 13,000 years). The on-sites are located in several regions (Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily) and in the Republic of San Marino. Their chronology spans from approximately 4200 to 500 years BP, from the Bronze to the Renaissance ages. The simultaneous presence of OJC in the off-sites and in all the archaeological sites confirms that these trees were widespread in the Italian peninsula in the last four millennia. The OJC sum is low but common in Bronze age sites from northern Italy, at the same times in which their percentages increase in the off-site cores. Then, in Hellenistic and Roman times, their curves have sharp increments in the off-sites, and values of Olea are especially high in archaeological sites of southern Italy. The highest values of OJC, especially Castanea - are actually found in samples of Medieval age and this matches the off-site diagrams. Juglans has less relevance than the other two trees but it is significant in both the archaeological sites and the off-sites.
The cultivation of walnut and chestnut trees in pre-Roman times may have included local stands. The nurturing for wood may have had negative effects on pollen fallout while the flowering of plants was favoured to obtain fruits.
As humans exploited natural resources they should have been able to interfere with the distribution of useful plants. The development of human environments in a modern sense, however, is a relatively recent phenomenon. It has largely caused the expansion of agrarian landscapes, including fields, pastures and groves.
Keywords: pollen, cultivated trees, cultural landscape, terrestrial/marine cores, archaeological sites, Italy
"
The sum of Olea, Juglans and Castanea percentages in pollen spectra is the OJC curve. The off-sites discussed are core RF93-30 from Adriatic Sea (last 7000 years), and cores PALB94-1E of Lago Albano and PNEM94-1B of Lago di Nemi from Latium lakes (last 13,000 years). The on-sites are located in several regions (Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily) and in the Republic of San Marino. Their chronology spans from approximately 4200 to 500 years BP, from the Bronze to the Renaissance ages. The simultaneous presence of OJC in the off-sites and in all the archaeological sites confirms that these trees were widespread in the Italian peninsula in the last four millennia. The OJC sum is low but common in Bronze age sites from northern Italy, at the same times in which their percentages increase in the off-site cores. Then, in Hellenistic and Roman times, their curves have sharp increments in the off-sites, and values of Olea are especially high in archaeological sites of southern Italy. The highest values of OJC, especially Castanea - are actually found in samples of Medieval age and this matches the off-site diagrams. Juglans has less relevance than the other two trees but it is significant in both the archaeological sites and the off-sites.
The cultivation of walnut and chestnut trees in pre-Roman times may have included local stands. The nurturing for wood may have had negative effects on pollen fallout while the flowering of plants was favoured to obtain fruits.
As humans exploited natural resources they should have been able to interfere with the distribution of useful plants. The development of human environments in a modern sense, however, is a relatively recent phenomenon. It has largely caused the expansion of agrarian landscapes, including fields, pastures and groves.
Keywords: pollen, cultivated trees, cultural landscape, terrestrial/marine cores, archaeological sites, Italy
"
Pollen data from twenty-six archaeological sites are reviewed to investigate the development of human-induced environments through the presence of selected Anthropogenic Pollen Indicators (API). The sites are located in six Italian... more
Pollen data from twenty-six archaeological sites are reviewed to investigate the development of human-induced environments through the presence of selected Anthropogenic Pollen Indicators (API). The sites are located in six Italian regions - Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily - and in the Republic of San Marino. Their chronology spans from the Bronze to the Renaissance ages, from approximately 4200 to 500 years BP.
The API which are common in these sites are properly considered important markers of human activity and anthropization in the Mediterranean area. The most frequent API taxa in pollen spectra are seven: Artemisia, Centaurea, Cichorieae and Plantago are ubiquitous and therefore they have the major relevance, followed by cereals and Urtica, and by Trifolium type. The spread of plants producing these pollen grains is sometimes marked by high percentage values in pollen spectra. Pollen records show that, as expected, cereals and wild synanthropic herbs were widespread near archaeological sites but local differences were evident. Ecological and chrono-cultural reasons may be at the base of the observed differences. In general, the synanthropic plants well represent the xeric environments that developed as a result of the continuous human pressure and changes in soil compositions. These changes have occurred especially during the mid and late Holocene.
Keywords: pollen, anthropogenic indicators, synanthropic plants, cultural landscape, archaeological sites, Italy, Mediterranean
The API which are common in these sites are properly considered important markers of human activity and anthropization in the Mediterranean area. The most frequent API taxa in pollen spectra are seven: Artemisia, Centaurea, Cichorieae and Plantago are ubiquitous and therefore they have the major relevance, followed by cereals and Urtica, and by Trifolium type. The spread of plants producing these pollen grains is sometimes marked by high percentage values in pollen spectra. Pollen records show that, as expected, cereals and wild synanthropic herbs were widespread near archaeological sites but local differences were evident. Ecological and chrono-cultural reasons may be at the base of the observed differences. In general, the synanthropic plants well represent the xeric environments that developed as a result of the continuous human pressure and changes in soil compositions. These changes have occurred especially during the mid and late Holocene.
Keywords: pollen, anthropogenic indicators, synanthropic plants, cultural landscape, archaeological sites, Italy, Mediterranean
This paper reports a study case showing integrated analyses of microscopic records from an archaeological site of southern Italy. Pollen and non pollen palynomorphs-NPPs were found in archaeological layers and were basic in reconstructing... more
This paper reports a study case showing integrated analyses of microscopic records from an archaeological site of southern Italy. Pollen and non pollen palynomorphs-NPPs were found in archaeological layers and were basic in reconstructing both the past environment and the economic activities of the site. The site, Fattoria Fabrizio, is a modest 4th-cenury BC farmhouse of the chora (rural territory) of the Greek city (polis) of Metaponto
(Basilicata). Pollen analyses in addition to the study of NPPs have been particularly worthwhile for palaeoenvironmental and palaeoeconomical reconstructions of this site and others in the chora. the pollen spectra delineate an open plant landscape, with scanty woodlands and presence of local
wet environments. Olea pollen is fairly well represented in all samples, suggesting that this tree was an important element of the agricultural economy of the chora. Shrubby grasslands and a well-developed macchia characterized the territory, probably as result of grazing activities by sheep and goats. Accordingly, the high percentages of Poaceae and Cichorieae pollen, together with coprophilous fungal spores (such as Sordaria type and
Sporormiella type), suggest that pastoral activities were widely practiced. The low number of Cerealia pollen grains suggests that the inhabitants’ fields covered small areas or were quite far from the farmhouse.
Keywords: palynology, NPPs, archaeological sites, grazing, Mediterranean macchia, cultural landscape, Basilicata, southern Italy
(Basilicata). Pollen analyses in addition to the study of NPPs have been particularly worthwhile for palaeoenvironmental and palaeoeconomical reconstructions of this site and others in the chora. the pollen spectra delineate an open plant landscape, with scanty woodlands and presence of local
wet environments. Olea pollen is fairly well represented in all samples, suggesting that this tree was an important element of the agricultural economy of the chora. Shrubby grasslands and a well-developed macchia characterized the territory, probably as result of grazing activities by sheep and goats. Accordingly, the high percentages of Poaceae and Cichorieae pollen, together with coprophilous fungal spores (such as Sordaria type and
Sporormiella type), suggest that pastoral activities were widely practiced. The low number of Cerealia pollen grains suggests that the inhabitants’ fields covered small areas or were quite far from the farmhouse.
Keywords: palynology, NPPs, archaeological sites, grazing, Mediterranean macchia, cultural landscape, Basilicata, southern Italy
Archaeobotanical analyses were carried out on layers from the site of Piazza Garibaldi at Parma, a town located in the plain of Emilia Romagna, in northern Italy. The layers dated to the 4th – 2nd centuries BC, around the time of the... more
Archaeobotanical analyses were carried out on layers from the site of Piazza Garibaldi at Parma, a town located in the plain of Emilia Romagna, in northern Italy. The layers dated to the 4th – 2nd centuries BC, around the time of the foundation of the Roman town, and to the 9th – 12th centuries AD. According to archaeological data, the site was a sacred area in Roman times, while it was a market square in Mediaeval times. Data from pollen and seeds/fruits were useful for both palaeoenvironmental and palaeoethnobotanical reconstructions, and together with NPPs including parasite remains contributed to add details on the function of the site in the different chronological phases.
Since Roman times, woods have grown far from the site, and human activities highly influenced the landscape. Cereals, legumes and hemp were cultivated together with figs, grapevines, and a number of medicinal, vegetables and spice plants. Altogether, data confirmed the presence of votive offerings, and particularly the association of opium poppy and cereals suggested that they were mainly offered to Ceres, the goddess of crops and soil fertility.
In Middle Ages, cereal fields, together with legumes, grapevines and fruit trees continued to grown in the area, but olive trees and Prunoideae revealed a different arboricultural economy. The analyses of plant and parasite remains four pits and one latrine suggested that their infillings consisted of waste, human and animal excrements, deteriorated vegetable food and marcs. Human parasite eggs of Ascaris and Trichuris were found in the latrine, while parasites of animals were found also in the pits.
The interpretation of archaeobotanical data was so strictly linked to the archaeological context that similar spectra must be differently interpreted in the two chronological phases.
Key words: Archaeobotany – Cereal pollen - Parasite remains – Site functionality - Northern Italy
Since Roman times, woods have grown far from the site, and human activities highly influenced the landscape. Cereals, legumes and hemp were cultivated together with figs, grapevines, and a number of medicinal, vegetables and spice plants. Altogether, data confirmed the presence of votive offerings, and particularly the association of opium poppy and cereals suggested that they were mainly offered to Ceres, the goddess of crops and soil fertility.
In Middle Ages, cereal fields, together with legumes, grapevines and fruit trees continued to grown in the area, but olive trees and Prunoideae revealed a different arboricultural economy. The analyses of plant and parasite remains four pits and one latrine suggested that their infillings consisted of waste, human and animal excrements, deteriorated vegetable food and marcs. Human parasite eggs of Ascaris and Trichuris were found in the latrine, while parasites of animals were found also in the pits.
The interpretation of archaeobotanical data was so strictly linked to the archaeological context that similar spectra must be differently interpreted in the two chronological phases.
Key words: Archaeobotany – Cereal pollen - Parasite remains – Site functionality - Northern Italy
This paper presents the recovery of parasite remains in pollen samples collected from archaeological layers, and a laboratory treatment that enabled us to obtain very high concentrations of both pollen and parasite eggs from the same... more
This paper presents the recovery of parasite remains in pollen samples collected from archaeological layers, and a laboratory treatment that enabled us to obtain very high concentrations of both pollen and parasite eggs from the same samples. The case study of the site of Piazza Garibaldi in Parma, a town in the Po plain - Italy, is reported. The site was a sacred area in Roman times, while it was a market square in Mediaeval times (10th - 11th century AD). Pollen and seeds/fruits of the latter phase were collected from four Mediaeval pits and one cesspit. After a palynological treatment including sieving, floating and light acetolysis, abundant parasite eggs were extracted. Human and animal parasite eggs belonging to Trichuris, Ascaris, Taenia/Echinococcus, Capillaria, Dicrocoelium and Diphyllobothrium were found. The analyses of animal and plant remains, such as the pollen of Poaceae or of entomophilous plants, identified in the same samples suggested that the infillings consisted of waste, human and animal excrements, deteriorated plant food and marcs. Therefore, animal and plant remains from the same context can be an indication of some human behaviour and help to identify the site function.
Key words: Parasite remains - Pollen - Palynological treatment - Site functionality - Northern Italy
Key words: Parasite remains - Pollen - Palynological treatment - Site functionality - Northern Italy
The paper reports two study cases showing integrated analyses of microscopic records (pollen, coprophilous fungi and parasites remains) which are of basic importance to reconstruct past breeding and pastoral activities in Italy. The sites... more
The paper reports two study cases showing integrated analyses of microscopic records (pollen, coprophilous fungi and parasites remains) which are of basic importance to reconstruct past breeding and pastoral activities in Italy. The sites are located at Piano Locce (1225 m a.s.l., Barisciano, L'Aquila) in a depression in a mountain area and in the Bradano Valley (about 150-500 m a.s.l., Basilicata) in a hilly area rich in archaeological sites.
The pollen-based palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Piano Locce provided the history of plants landscape from around 36.000 years BP. Before the Holocene, a steppe vegetation and a grassland characterized the area where wild animals freely browsed. This assumption is strongly supported by the association of spores of coprophilous fungi with intestinal parasites eggs (Dicrocoelium) and pollen clumps. The trend of coprophilous fungi and pollen assemblages including Anthropogenic Indicators shows that, after the wild animals browsing, a fairly continuous presence of domesticated animals, prevalently ovicaprines, interested the area in the Holocene.
The archaeological sites of Difesa San Biagio and Altojanni in Bradano Valley showed evidences of ovicaprine-farming and cattle breeding during Hellenistic and Mediaeval periods. In particular, Cichorioideae, Chenopodiaceae and Brassicaceae pollen and spores of coprophilous fungi (such as Sordaria type, Sporormiella and Podospora type) attest the predominance of pastoral activities during the Hellenistic period at San Biagio. A greater pollen biodiversity characterizes Altojanni, where spores of the coprophilous fungi were associated with spores of fungi with a different ecology as Chaetomium and Valsaria variospora type. The environmental and microarchaeobotanical contexts are in agreement with archaeological evidences that attest the presence of domestic animals, probably cattle, maintained in this site during Middle Ages.
The pollen-based palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Piano Locce provided the history of plants landscape from around 36.000 years BP. Before the Holocene, a steppe vegetation and a grassland characterized the area where wild animals freely browsed. This assumption is strongly supported by the association of spores of coprophilous fungi with intestinal parasites eggs (Dicrocoelium) and pollen clumps. The trend of coprophilous fungi and pollen assemblages including Anthropogenic Indicators shows that, after the wild animals browsing, a fairly continuous presence of domesticated animals, prevalently ovicaprines, interested the area in the Holocene.
The archaeological sites of Difesa San Biagio and Altojanni in Bradano Valley showed evidences of ovicaprine-farming and cattle breeding during Hellenistic and Mediaeval periods. In particular, Cichorioideae, Chenopodiaceae and Brassicaceae pollen and spores of coprophilous fungi (such as Sordaria type, Sporormiella and Podospora type) attest the predominance of pastoral activities during the Hellenistic period at San Biagio. A greater pollen biodiversity characterizes Altojanni, where spores of the coprophilous fungi were associated with spores of fungi with a different ecology as Chaetomium and Valsaria variospora type. The environmental and microarchaeobotanical contexts are in agreement with archaeological evidences that attest the presence of domestic animals, probably cattle, maintained in this site during Middle Ages.
Cichorioideae with fenestrate pollen are among the most important markers of pasturelands. The pollen type mainly includes members of the Cichorieae tribe, and this is the actual tribe identified in pollen spectra from the Italian... more
Cichorioideae with fenestrate pollen are among the most important markers of pasturelands. The pollen type mainly includes members of the Cichorieae tribe, and this is the actual tribe identified in pollen spectra from the Italian peninsula. The paper presents a brief review of pollen presence of Cichorieae in archaeological sites of southern Italy. Particularly, the case study of Sant’Angelo Vecchio, a Hellenistic site located in Metaponto (Basilicata) is reported. Four classes of Cichorieae can be distinguished based on the maximum diameter length: < 18 µm (Hieracium type), 18-25 µm, 26-44 µm, ≥ 45 µm (Scolymus type).
Key words - Cichorioideae-Cichorieae, palynology, pasturelands, archaeological sites
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Il polline di Cichorioideae, generalmente inteso con esina fenestrata, è considerato tra i più importanti indicatori di pratiche di allevamento e presenza di pascoli nell’ambito di ricerche paleoeconomico-ambientali. In realtà, il tipo pollinico fenestrato è riferibile solo ad alcuni generi delle Cichorioideae, e solo la tribù delle Cichorieae ha una distribuzione che include la penisola italiana. Pertanto, il nome Cichorieae risulta più appropriato alla individuazione di questo morfotipo. Il lavoro presenta dati sulla morfologia pollinica di questa tribù e sulla presenza di tale polline in spettri di siti archeologici, con particolare riguardo al caso studio di Sant’Angelo Vecchio (Metaponto-Basilicata). Nel complesso, è stata individuata una prima possibilità di distinguere i granuli di Cichorieae in 4 categorie, sulla base della misura del diametro massimo: < 18 µm (Hieracium tipo), 18-25 µm, 26-44 µm, ≥ 45 µm (Scolymus tipo).
Parole chiave - Cichorioideae-Cichorieae, palinologia, pascoli, siti archeologici
Key words - Cichorioideae-Cichorieae, palynology, pasturelands, archaeological sites
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Il polline di Cichorioideae, generalmente inteso con esina fenestrata, è considerato tra i più importanti indicatori di pratiche di allevamento e presenza di pascoli nell’ambito di ricerche paleoeconomico-ambientali. In realtà, il tipo pollinico fenestrato è riferibile solo ad alcuni generi delle Cichorioideae, e solo la tribù delle Cichorieae ha una distribuzione che include la penisola italiana. Pertanto, il nome Cichorieae risulta più appropriato alla individuazione di questo morfotipo. Il lavoro presenta dati sulla morfologia pollinica di questa tribù e sulla presenza di tale polline in spettri di siti archeologici, con particolare riguardo al caso studio di Sant’Angelo Vecchio (Metaponto-Basilicata). Nel complesso, è stata individuata una prima possibilità di distinguere i granuli di Cichorieae in 4 categorie, sulla base della misura del diametro massimo: < 18 µm (Hieracium tipo), 18-25 µm, 26-44 µm, ≥ 45 µm (Scolymus tipo).
Parole chiave - Cichorioideae-Cichorieae, palinologia, pascoli, siti archeologici
The paper presents the first results obtained from archaeobotanical analyses carried out on samples from San Vincenzo, a prehistoric village located in Stromboli (Sicily). The archaeological layers were dated to the Middle Bronze age 1-2... more
The paper presents the first results obtained from archaeobotanical analyses carried out on samples from San Vincenzo, a prehistoric village located in Stromboli (Sicily). The archaeological layers were dated to the Middle Bronze age 1-2 (first half of the 2nd millennium B.C.). Pollen analysis allows to reconstruct which plant landscape grew during the settlement lifetime, and in the following phases. Data suggest that the economy of people was based on animal breeding rather than cultivations. In fact, pastureland pollen indicators were significantly present (for example, Trifolium and coprophilous fungi spores), while pollen of Olea europaea was rare and cereals were absent. The landscape was open and fairly treeless, while some evidences of human presence were marked by nitrophilous and other anthropogenic pollen indicators.
Key Words: pollen, archaeobotany, Stromboli, Middle Bronze age
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Il lavoro presenta i risultati delle analisi palinologiche condotte nel villaggio di San Vincenzo a Stromboli. L’abitato è costituito da un villaggio preistorico risalente all’età del Bronzo Medio 1-2 (prima metà del II millennio a.C.). L’analisi palinologica è stata finalizzata alla ricostruzione del paesaggio vegetale coevo e successivo alla fase di vita del villaggio preistorico e ha permesso di ottenere indicazioni sull’attività produttiva all’interno dell’abitato. In particolare, la significatività degli indicatori di pascolo (ad es., Trifolium e spore di funghi coprofili), la scarsa presenza di polline di Olea europaea e l’assenza di cereali suggeriscono che l’economia della popolazione locale fosse principalmente basata sull’allevamento di animali domestici. L’ambiente doveva essere decisamente deforestato con significativi caratteri di antropizzazione.
Parole Chiave: polline, archeobotanica, Stromboli, Bronzo medio
Key Words: pollen, archaeobotany, Stromboli, Middle Bronze age
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Il lavoro presenta i risultati delle analisi palinologiche condotte nel villaggio di San Vincenzo a Stromboli. L’abitato è costituito da un villaggio preistorico risalente all’età del Bronzo Medio 1-2 (prima metà del II millennio a.C.). L’analisi palinologica è stata finalizzata alla ricostruzione del paesaggio vegetale coevo e successivo alla fase di vita del villaggio preistorico e ha permesso di ottenere indicazioni sull’attività produttiva all’interno dell’abitato. In particolare, la significatività degli indicatori di pascolo (ad es., Trifolium e spore di funghi coprofili), la scarsa presenza di polline di Olea europaea e l’assenza di cereali suggeriscono che l’economia della popolazione locale fosse principalmente basata sull’allevamento di animali domestici. L’ambiente doveva essere decisamente deforestato con significativi caratteri di antropizzazione.
Parole Chiave: polline, archeobotanica, Stromboli, Bronzo medio
The article aims at presenting some aspects of environmental reconstruction through pollen analysis from archaeological contexts. The anthropogenic pollen transport into archaeological sites is regarded as an interesting tool to improve... more
The article aims at presenting some aspects of environmental reconstruction through pollen analysis from archaeological
contexts. The anthropogenic pollen transport into archaeological sites is regarded as an interesting tool to improve
knowledge on flora and vegetation in the area of influence of sites. The zoophilous plants can be found more easily than in
the regional airborne pollen rain where anemophilous pollen is generally overrepresented. Moreover, pollen from
archaeological contexts is mainly a result of the cultural landscape shaped by human activities. Two case studies from the
Bradano Valley (Basilicata, southern Italy), rich in archaeological sites dating altogether from the Middle Bronze Age to the
Medieval age, are reported. Difesa San Biagio and its surroundings is one of the biggest settlements of the area, settled in
early times by Enotrians. Altojanni is an extended area mainly frequented in Hellenistic, Roman late Imperial and Medieval
times. A very open landscape, and clear signs of plant exploitation and cultivation, breeding and settlements were present in
the two sites. Though samples are disturbed and preservation problems are sometimes observed, the main characters of
pollen spectra are recurrent. High percentages of Poaceae and Cichorioideae, together with coprophilous fungal spores,
strongly suggest a long tradition of pastoral activities. These case study examples suggest that human activities would have
produced a fairly xeric environment.
Keywords: Archaeobotany, Basilicata, Anthropogenic indicators, cultural landscape, pollen, southern Italy
contexts. The anthropogenic pollen transport into archaeological sites is regarded as an interesting tool to improve
knowledge on flora and vegetation in the area of influence of sites. The zoophilous plants can be found more easily than in
the regional airborne pollen rain where anemophilous pollen is generally overrepresented. Moreover, pollen from
archaeological contexts is mainly a result of the cultural landscape shaped by human activities. Two case studies from the
Bradano Valley (Basilicata, southern Italy), rich in archaeological sites dating altogether from the Middle Bronze Age to the
Medieval age, are reported. Difesa San Biagio and its surroundings is one of the biggest settlements of the area, settled in
early times by Enotrians. Altojanni is an extended area mainly frequented in Hellenistic, Roman late Imperial and Medieval
times. A very open landscape, and clear signs of plant exploitation and cultivation, breeding and settlements were present in
the two sites. Though samples are disturbed and preservation problems are sometimes observed, the main characters of
pollen spectra are recurrent. High percentages of Poaceae and Cichorioideae, together with coprophilous fungal spores,
strongly suggest a long tradition of pastoral activities. These case study examples suggest that human activities would have
produced a fairly xeric environment.
Keywords: Archaeobotany, Basilicata, Anthropogenic indicators, cultural landscape, pollen, southern Italy
Olive trees are key elements of the cultural landscape of southern Italy. Olea pollen is therefore one of the main component in the biological aerosol and it is known to have an important impact on human health for pollinosis in... more
Olive trees are key elements of the cultural landscape of southern Italy. Olea pollen is therefore
one of the main component in the biological aerosol and it is known to have an important impact
on human health for pollinosis in Mediterranean countries. The paper reports pollen analyses from
olive groves distributed in Basilicata, a region facing the Ionian Sea, where agriculture is still largely
spread. The aim of the study is to evaluate the representativeness of Olea pollen in soil samples, taken
at different distances from sources. Five olive groves (A-E) have been selected along a SE/NW transect
along the River Bradano, taking into account that they were at a significant distance from other
olive groves of the same area. Six samples per each olive grove have been taken in the following way:
a) two IN samples, including one surface sample, and one sample collected by pinches; b) four OUT
directions and two samples taken at 1000 m, at N and W directions. Olea pollen was found in good
amount in all samples but its percentages were very variable depending on several factors: olive grove
extension, age of the trees, gap between period of sampling and start of pollination (April), abundance
of pollen from overrepresented taxa in the spectra (Pinus), occurrence of particular agricultural
practices (ploughing), spread of several olive groves or presence of wild olive specimens in the
same area. In addition, the distance of the point of sampling from the trees plays an important role in
olive pollen representativeness. As expected, the highest percentages of this pollen were found at the
centre of the olive groves, and then dramatically fell at 500 m, and remained fairly constant at 1000
m. The more extended olive groves (A, D) show the highest values of Olea pollen at the centre (ca.
55% on average). This high value sharply drops to ca. 5% at 500 m. Therefore, the decrease of this
pollen may be estimated of about 87-92% in the first few hundred metres from the sources. Comparison
with airborne pollen captured by spore-traps (years 2005-2006, ARPAB monitoring station of
Matera) confirms that this pollen is generally less abundant in the air than in the soil layers. In our
case study the pollen of Olea was about 7-11% in the annual pollen rain whereas it was about 13%
in the surface soil samples collected in and around the olive groves. Data are a further proof of the
importance of this pollen in the Mediterranean region, also suggesting a higher risk for atopic people
in a radius of 1000 m around the olive groves.
Key words: palynology, air quality, pollen rain, Olea europaea L., Basilicata, Mediterranean basin
one of the main component in the biological aerosol and it is known to have an important impact
on human health for pollinosis in Mediterranean countries. The paper reports pollen analyses from
olive groves distributed in Basilicata, a region facing the Ionian Sea, where agriculture is still largely
spread. The aim of the study is to evaluate the representativeness of Olea pollen in soil samples, taken
at different distances from sources. Five olive groves (A-E) have been selected along a SE/NW transect
along the River Bradano, taking into account that they were at a significant distance from other
olive groves of the same area. Six samples per each olive grove have been taken in the following way:
a) two IN samples, including one surface sample, and one sample collected by pinches; b) four OUT
directions and two samples taken at 1000 m, at N and W directions. Olea pollen was found in good
amount in all samples but its percentages were very variable depending on several factors: olive grove
extension, age of the trees, gap between period of sampling and start of pollination (April), abundance
of pollen from overrepresented taxa in the spectra (Pinus), occurrence of particular agricultural
practices (ploughing), spread of several olive groves or presence of wild olive specimens in the
same area. In addition, the distance of the point of sampling from the trees plays an important role in
olive pollen representativeness. As expected, the highest percentages of this pollen were found at the
centre of the olive groves, and then dramatically fell at 500 m, and remained fairly constant at 1000
m. The more extended olive groves (A, D) show the highest values of Olea pollen at the centre (ca.
55% on average). This high value sharply drops to ca. 5% at 500 m. Therefore, the decrease of this
pollen may be estimated of about 87-92% in the first few hundred metres from the sources. Comparison
with airborne pollen captured by spore-traps (years 2005-2006, ARPAB monitoring station of
Matera) confirms that this pollen is generally less abundant in the air than in the soil layers. In our
case study the pollen of Olea was about 7-11% in the annual pollen rain whereas it was about 13%
in the surface soil samples collected in and around the olive groves. Data are a further proof of the
importance of this pollen in the Mediterranean region, also suggesting a higher risk for atopic people
in a radius of 1000 m around the olive groves.
Key words: palynology, air quality, pollen rain, Olea europaea L., Basilicata, Mediterranean basin
The village “Difesa San Biagio” is a Enotrius settlement in the Bradano Valley (Metapontino hinterland). This is one of the sites that best covers the main aspects of the culture of eastern Lucania and of the changes induced in peoples... more
The village “Difesa San Biagio” is a Enotrius settlement in the Bradano Valley (Metapontino hinterland). This is one of the sites that best covers the main aspects of the culture of eastern Lucania and of the changes induced in peoples from contact with Magna Grecia cities.
This work presents the archaeopalynological research conducted in “Difesa San Biagio”, with the aim of making an archaeo-environmental reconstruction of the land near the archaeological site and improve the knowledge of botanical species present and / or used in the Enotrius village. The pollen data allowed the drawing of a complete cultural context of the Hellenistic age settlement.
Key words: archaeobotany, eastern Basilicata, environmental reconstruction
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L’abitato di Difesa San Biagio, insediamento enotrio della valle del Bradano nell’immediato entroterra metapontino, rappresenta uno dei siti che meglio documenta i principali aspetti culturali della Lucania orientale e le trasformazioni indotte nelle popolazioni autoctone dal contatto con le città della Magna Grecia.
Il lavoro presenta la ricerca archeopalinologica condotta a Difesa San Biagio, finalizzata alla ricostruzione archeoambientale del territorio in prossimità del sito archeologico e alla conoscenza delle specie botaniche presenti e/o utilizzate nell’abitato enotrio. I dati pollinici hanno consentito di tracciare un quadro culturale completo dell’insediamento di età ellenistica: situato in un’area con una bassa copertura boschiva e con una vegetazione costituita principalmente da aree a pascolo, basava la sua economia prevalentemente sulla pastorizia/allevamento, seguita da coltivazioni arboree (olivo) e cerealicole, i cui prodotti erano trattati nell’abitato all’interno di una struttura destinata a funzioni produttive.
Parole chiave: archeobotanica, Basilicata orientale, ricostruzione ambientale
This work presents the archaeopalynological research conducted in “Difesa San Biagio”, with the aim of making an archaeo-environmental reconstruction of the land near the archaeological site and improve the knowledge of botanical species present and / or used in the Enotrius village. The pollen data allowed the drawing of a complete cultural context of the Hellenistic age settlement.
Key words: archaeobotany, eastern Basilicata, environmental reconstruction
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L’abitato di Difesa San Biagio, insediamento enotrio della valle del Bradano nell’immediato entroterra metapontino, rappresenta uno dei siti che meglio documenta i principali aspetti culturali della Lucania orientale e le trasformazioni indotte nelle popolazioni autoctone dal contatto con le città della Magna Grecia.
Il lavoro presenta la ricerca archeopalinologica condotta a Difesa San Biagio, finalizzata alla ricostruzione archeoambientale del territorio in prossimità del sito archeologico e alla conoscenza delle specie botaniche presenti e/o utilizzate nell’abitato enotrio. I dati pollinici hanno consentito di tracciare un quadro culturale completo dell’insediamento di età ellenistica: situato in un’area con una bassa copertura boschiva e con una vegetazione costituita principalmente da aree a pascolo, basava la sua economia prevalentemente sulla pastorizia/allevamento, seguita da coltivazioni arboree (olivo) e cerealicole, i cui prodotti erano trattati nell’abitato all’interno di una struttura destinata a funzioni produttive.
Parole chiave: archeobotanica, Basilicata orientale, ricostruzione ambientale
The first results obtained from archaeobotanical analyses carried out on samples from San Vincenzo, a prehistoric village located in the isle of Stromboli (Sicily), are presented. The archaeological layers were dated to the Middle Bronze... more
The first results obtained from archaeobotanical analyses carried out on samples from San Vincenzo, a prehistoric village located in the isle of Stromboli (Sicily), are presented. The archaeological layers were dated to the Middle Bronze Age 1-2 (first half of the 2nd millennium B.C.). The analyses of 10 pollen samples
aimed to reconstruct the plant landscape during the settlement’s lifetime and in the following phases. Data suggest that the economy of these people was based on animal breeding rather than agriculture. In fact, pasture land pollen indicators were significantly present (for example, Trifolium e coprophilous fungi spores), while pollen of Olea europaea was rare and cereals were absent. The landscape was open and fairly treeless, while some evidence of human presence was marked by nitrophilous and other anthropogenic pollen indicators.
Key words: pollen, archaeobotany, Stromboli, Sicily, Middle Bronze Age
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Il lavoro presenta i risultati preliminari ottenuti dalle analisi archeobotaniche condotte nel villaggio di San Vincenzo a Stromboli. L’abitato è costituito da un villaggio preistorico risalente all’Età del Bronzo Medio 1-2 (prima metà del II millennio a.C.). L’analisi di 10 campioni palinologici è stata finalizzata alla ricostruzione del paesaggio vegetale coevo e successivo alla fase di vita del villaggio preistorico e ha permesso di ottenere indicazioni sull’attività produttiva all’interno dell’abitato. In
particolare, la significatività degli indicatori di pascolo (ad es. Trifolium e spore di funghi coprofili), la scarsa presenza di polline di Olea europaea e l’assenza di cereali suggerisce che l’economia
della popolazione locale fosse principalmente basata sull’allevamento di animali domestici. L’ambiente doveva essere decisamente deforestato con significativi caratteri di antropizzazione.
Parole chiave: polline, archeobotanica, Stromboli, Bronzo medio
aimed to reconstruct the plant landscape during the settlement’s lifetime and in the following phases. Data suggest that the economy of these people was based on animal breeding rather than agriculture. In fact, pasture land pollen indicators were significantly present (for example, Trifolium e coprophilous fungi spores), while pollen of Olea europaea was rare and cereals were absent. The landscape was open and fairly treeless, while some evidence of human presence was marked by nitrophilous and other anthropogenic pollen indicators.
Key words: pollen, archaeobotany, Stromboli, Sicily, Middle Bronze Age
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Il lavoro presenta i risultati preliminari ottenuti dalle analisi archeobotaniche condotte nel villaggio di San Vincenzo a Stromboli. L’abitato è costituito da un villaggio preistorico risalente all’Età del Bronzo Medio 1-2 (prima metà del II millennio a.C.). L’analisi di 10 campioni palinologici è stata finalizzata alla ricostruzione del paesaggio vegetale coevo e successivo alla fase di vita del villaggio preistorico e ha permesso di ottenere indicazioni sull’attività produttiva all’interno dell’abitato. In
particolare, la significatività degli indicatori di pascolo (ad es. Trifolium e spore di funghi coprofili), la scarsa presenza di polline di Olea europaea e l’assenza di cereali suggerisce che l’economia
della popolazione locale fosse principalmente basata sull’allevamento di animali domestici. L’ambiente doveva essere decisamente deforestato con significativi caratteri di antropizzazione.
Parole chiave: polline, archeobotanica, Stromboli, Bronzo medio
Modern biodiversity is the result of the long-term shaping that humans and climate made on vegetation, soils and landforms. This is especially evident in the Mediterranean area, crowd of civilizations since ancient times. Most of the... more
Modern biodiversity is the result of the long-term shaping that humans and climate made on vegetation, soils and landforms. This is especially evident in the Mediterranean area, crowd of civilizations since ancient times.
Most of the biological archives, including pollen, upon which past environmental reconstructions are based, are known to respond to both climate change and human impact. Throughout the Holocene, human activities were fairly synchronous with climatic oscillations, and today it is difficult to disentangle the relative roles of climate and humans in palaeobiological records. In general, the passage from wild to human environments is evident by new flora input and by modification of vegetation cover (e.g., reduction in wild species and increase in the cultivated/synanthropic plants). Changes in flora and vegetation cover may have occurred earlier near settlements and in the places that today we call ‘archaeological sites’. The weak anthropogenic influence on the environment firstly occurred in the vicinity of the settlements. Then, human impact became evident at a larger regional scale depending on the chronological and cultural variables, and on the distance and intensity of activity performances.
A set of palynological / archaeobotanical research has been carried out in the last decades by the members of BRAIN - Botanical Records of the Archaeobotany Italian Network. The research joins multidisciplinary archaeological study to palaeoenvironmental – ecological approach, with focus on the Italian peninsula and its impressive prehistoric and historic archaeological heritage (Mercuri AM, et al. 2015. Rev Palaeobot Palyno 218:250-266).
Most of the biological archives, including pollen, upon which past environmental reconstructions are based, are known to respond to both climate change and human impact. Throughout the Holocene, human activities were fairly synchronous with climatic oscillations, and today it is difficult to disentangle the relative roles of climate and humans in palaeobiological records. In general, the passage from wild to human environments is evident by new flora input and by modification of vegetation cover (e.g., reduction in wild species and increase in the cultivated/synanthropic plants). Changes in flora and vegetation cover may have occurred earlier near settlements and in the places that today we call ‘archaeological sites’. The weak anthropogenic influence on the environment firstly occurred in the vicinity of the settlements. Then, human impact became evident at a larger regional scale depending on the chronological and cultural variables, and on the distance and intensity of activity performances.
A set of palynological / archaeobotanical research has been carried out in the last decades by the members of BRAIN - Botanical Records of the Archaeobotany Italian Network. The research joins multidisciplinary archaeological study to palaeoenvironmental – ecological approach, with focus on the Italian peninsula and its impressive prehistoric and historic archaeological heritage (Mercuri AM, et al. 2015. Rev Palaeobot Palyno 218:250-266).
Plant remains - including pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, seeds and fruits, woods and charcoals - are among the most important biological archives upon which past environmental reconstructions are based. From one hand, plants are known... more
Plant remains - including pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, seeds and fruits, woods and charcoals - are among the most important biological archives upon which past environmental reconstructions are based. From one hand, plants are known to respond, in fact, to both climate change and human impact. From the other hand, humans collected plants that were available in the territory they explored, and even involuntary they shaped the landscape. As humans lived in a region, ‘cultural transformations of natural habitats’ began, and were the inevitable consequence of human presence in lands. Consequently, changes in flora and vegetation cover may have occurred earlier near settlements and in the places that today we call ‘archaeological sites’. The weak anthropogenic influence on the environment firstly occurred in the vicinity of the settlements, and then became a true local impact. Then, human impact became evident at a larger regional scale depending on the chronological and cultural variables, and on the distance and intensity of activity performances.
In archaeological contexts, humans and their animals largely bring plant micro- and macro- remains to the site and thus cultural variables strongly influence the pollen spectrum and the archaeobotanical record. Far from being a problem, this taphonomical peculiarity is crucial to explore human behaviour and cultural aspects of plant exploitation. A set of palynological / archaeobotanical research has been carried out in the last decades by our research team (www.palinopaleobot.unimore.it). In Italy, investigations cover most of the regions from Northern (especially Emilia Romagna), Central (especially Tuscany) and Southern Italy (especially Basilicata and Sicily). Chronology ranges from the Middle Bronze age (e.g. Terramara di Montale), to the Roman and Medieval ages (e.g. Modena; Parma; Villa del Casale), to Renaissance ages (e.g. Ferrara). The research joins multidisciplinary archaeological study to palaeoenvironmental–ecological approach, with focus on the Italian peninsula and its impressive prehistoric and historic archaeological heritage.
In archaeological contexts, humans and their animals largely bring plant micro- and macro- remains to the site and thus cultural variables strongly influence the pollen spectrum and the archaeobotanical record. Far from being a problem, this taphonomical peculiarity is crucial to explore human behaviour and cultural aspects of plant exploitation. A set of palynological / archaeobotanical research has been carried out in the last decades by our research team (www.palinopaleobot.unimore.it). In Italy, investigations cover most of the regions from Northern (especially Emilia Romagna), Central (especially Tuscany) and Southern Italy (especially Basilicata and Sicily). Chronology ranges from the Middle Bronze age (e.g. Terramara di Montale), to the Roman and Medieval ages (e.g. Modena; Parma; Villa del Casale), to Renaissance ages (e.g. Ferrara). The research joins multidisciplinary archaeological study to palaeoenvironmental–ecological approach, with focus on the Italian peninsula and its impressive prehistoric and historic archaeological heritage.