The evolution of Roman urban environments through the archaeobotanical remains in Modena – Northern Italy

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 53; pp. 19 - 31
• Main Authors: Bosi, Giovanna, Mercuri, Anna Maria, Bandini Mazzanti, Marta, Florenzano, Assunta, Montecchi, Maria Chiara, Torri, Paola, Labate, Donato, Rinaldi, Rossella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Northern Italy; Palynology; Po Plain; Roman age; Seeds and fruits; Urban archaeobotany; Northern Italy; Urban archaeobotany; Palynology; Seeds and fruits; Roman age; Po Plain
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2014.09.020

The paper reports on the urban archaeobotany of Modena, a town that lies on the southern Po Plain of the Emilia Romagna region, Northern Italy. Founded in 183 BC, it was an important Roman colony known as Mutina. The integrated study of micro- and macro-remains, the interdisciplinary archaeological and botanical approach, and the comparison of on-site/off-site records allow the reconstruction of an urban environment of the past. Pollen and macroremains from four archaeological sites located in and around the ancient walls, along with pollen from an off-site trench, were studied with an integrated approach, aimed at reconstructing the main floristic, vegetational and palaeoecological features of the town and its surroundings between the 6th century BC and the 10th century AD. During the Roman age, the natural plant landscape was characterised by wetlands, thinly scattered mixed oak woods, cereal fields, gardens and other human environments; during the Late Roman and Early Medieval age, the woodlands increased. Some currently rare, or locally extinct, species lived in the area. The fragmentation of the landscape has been evident since the Roman times because pieces of the natural environments have survived near lands strongly modified by inhabitants. •The development of urban landscapes is investigated by integrated archaeobotany.•On-site/off-site records allow the reconstruction of an urban environment of the past.•A Roman town of the Po Plain showed high plant biodiversity.•Habitat fragmentation was already present in the Roman times.•Semi-natural environments at the edges of the town were evident at Early Medieval age.