Fruits and seeds from Roman cremations in Limagne (Massif Central) and the spatial variability of plant offerings in France

Abstract

During Roman times plant products were frequently used as offerings in graves. The cremation ritual, dominant during the two first centuries AD in Gaul, allowed the preservation of some of these plant remains by carbonization. Up to now in Grande Limagne (Auvergne, Massif Central) only one cremation burial had given rise to archaeobotanical study. Five new sites are analysed in the Clermont Ferrand area. Vegetal offerings are largely dominated by cereals ( Triticum aestivum/turgidum and Hordeum vulgare principally but also Panicum miliaceum and possibly a hulled wheat species) and pulses ( Lens culinaris, Lupinus albus, Pisum sativum and Vicia faba). Grande Limagne results are compared to archaeobotanical data from other parts of France. Auvergne sites are close to those from central France and differ from Mediterranean and Rhône valley sites. This group is characterized by a greater part of Mediterranean or exotic fruits, newly introduced or developed by the Romans, and bread or pastry. This reflect the strongest Romanization of the Mediterranean–Rhône–Rhine axis. On the other hand cereal- and pulse-offerings dominating in central France could be more affected by Iron age traditions. This last hypothesis has to be confirmed by new studies on Iron age cremation burials.