Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) in 2nd century bc Pompeii, southwest Italy, and a review of early sesame finds in Asia and Europe

Abstract

Six mineralised seeds of Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) have been found in a cesspit dating from the Samnite occupation (Republican period, 2nd century bc) of Pompeii in southwest Italy. This oil plant is of tropical Asian origin, and its occurrences in prehistoric Italy and more generally in the Mediterranean region are very scarce and only from sea ports. It thus raises the question about its role in long distance trade between the Italian Peninsula and Asia, in relation to the Roman conquest of the east including the near east which started in the 2nd century bc. The present contribution reviews the archaeobotanical evidence of early sesame in Asia and Europe and explores the potential routes of its spread to the west. The possibility of an introduction and acclimatization of the plant in southern Europe is also discussed in the light of archaeobotanical finds and ancient texts.