Abstract
This paper presents archaeobotanical evidence of rice (Oryza cf. sativa L.) and black pepper (Piper nigrum) recovered from an early 2nd century AD septic pit excavated near the centre of colonia Aelia Mursa (Osijek, Croatia). Within Roman Panonnia the archaeobotanical record shows evidence of trade consisting mostly of local Mediterranean goods such as olives, grapes and figs, however, the recovery of rice and black pepper from Mursa provides the first evidence of exotics arriving to Pannonia from Asia. Preliminary thoughts on the role of these foods within the colony and who may have been consuming them are briefly discussed. The Roman period represents a time of major change in the diet of newly assimilated regions and the results here highlight the contribution that archaeobotanical remains can make to the growing discourse on the development of societies on the Roman frontier.
Highlights
Investigations into the role of food during the Roman period (1st–5th century AD) in eastern Croatia are relatively rare due to the limited archaeobotanical analyses conducted in the region
The discovery of rice and black pepper is relatively rare in Europe as a whole, so this discovery provides the first evidence of long distance exotics arriving to Pannonia from Asia
The discovery of rice and black pepper from an early 2nd century septic pit within Roman Mursa is the first archaeobotanical evidence of long distance exotics being imported into Pannonia
Summary
Archaeobotanical samples were collected from two septic pits dating to the first phase of the colony (120–130s) and, surprisingly, the first sample examined revealed grains of rice and black pepper. The discovery of rice and black pepper is relatively rare in Europe as a whole, so this discovery provides the first evidence of long distance exotics arriving to Pannonia from Asia.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.