Background: The analysis of ancient calcified dental plaque is a powerful archaeobotanical method to elucidate the key role of the plants in human history. Methods: In this research, by applying both optic microscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry on this matrix, a detailed qualitative investigation for reconstructing the lifestyle of a Roman imperial community of the Ager Curensis (Sabina Tiberina, Central Italy) was performed. Results: The detection of animal micro-remains and molecules (e.g., hairs, feather barbules, markers of dairy products), starch granules of several cereals and legumes, pollen (e.g., Juglans regia L., Hedera sp. L.) and other plant micro-debris (e.g., trichome of Olea sp., hemp fibers), and phytochemicals (e.g., Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae herbs, Ferula sp., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., wine, and Humulus lupulus L.) in the dental calculus sample demonstrated that plant-derived foods were regularly consumed together with animal resources. Conclusions: This nutritional plan, consistent with the information reported in ancient written texts, suggested that the studied population based its own subsistence on both agriculture and husbandry, probably also including beekeeping and hunting activities. All together, these results represent proofs for the comprehension of food habits, phytotherapeutic practices, and cultural traditions of one of the first Roman settlements in the Sabina Tiberina area.

D'Agostino, A., Gismondi, A., Di Marco, G., Lo Castro, M., Olevano, R., Cinti, T., et al. (2019). Lifestyle of a Roman Imperial community: Ethnobotanical evidence from dental calculus of the Ager Curensis inhabitants. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE, 15(1), 62 [10.1186/s13002-019-0334-z].

Lifestyle of a Roman Imperial community: Ethnobotanical evidence from dental calculus of the Ager Curensis inhabitants

Gismondi A.;Di Marco G.;Leonardi D.;Canini A.
2019-01-01

Abstract

Background: The analysis of ancient calcified dental plaque is a powerful archaeobotanical method to elucidate the key role of the plants in human history. Methods: In this research, by applying both optic microscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry on this matrix, a detailed qualitative investigation for reconstructing the lifestyle of a Roman imperial community of the Ager Curensis (Sabina Tiberina, Central Italy) was performed. Results: The detection of animal micro-remains and molecules (e.g., hairs, feather barbules, markers of dairy products), starch granules of several cereals and legumes, pollen (e.g., Juglans regia L., Hedera sp. L.) and other plant micro-debris (e.g., trichome of Olea sp., hemp fibers), and phytochemicals (e.g., Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae herbs, Ferula sp., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., wine, and Humulus lupulus L.) in the dental calculus sample demonstrated that plant-derived foods were regularly consumed together with animal resources. Conclusions: This nutritional plan, consistent with the information reported in ancient written texts, suggested that the studied population based its own subsistence on both agriculture and husbandry, probably also including beekeeping and hunting activities. All together, these results represent proofs for the comprehension of food habits, phytotherapeutic practices, and cultural traditions of one of the first Roman settlements in the Sabina Tiberina area.
2019
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/01 - BOTANICA GENERALE
English
Cereals; Dental calculus; Gas chromatography mass spectrometry; Light microscopy; Non-dietary micro-remains; Passo Corese; Secondary metabolites
http://www.ethnobiomed.com/
D'Agostino, A., Gismondi, A., Di Marco, G., Lo Castro, M., Olevano, R., Cinti, T., et al. (2019). Lifestyle of a Roman Imperial community: Ethnobotanical evidence from dental calculus of the Ager Curensis inhabitants. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE, 15(1), 62 [10.1186/s13002-019-0334-z].
D'Agostino, A; Gismondi, A; Di Marco, G; Lo Castro, M; Olevano, R; Cinti, T; Leonardi, D; Canini, A
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/227964
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