Humanities and Arts
Plant economy in the westernmost territory of the Roman state through waste: the wet site of O Areal (Vigo, Spain)
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Andrés Teira-Brión
Andrés Teira-Brión
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Historia, Praza da Universidade 1, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Abstract
The Roman economy of the Iberian Peninsula has habitually been characterised in terms of prestige goods and economic activities such as trade, mining and metallurgy. The analysis of plant-based foods –less prestigious but more essential in everyday life– has commonly been marginalised in state-of-the-art reviews. The O Areal saltworks is exceptional in terms of the large number of organic materials it preserves, and the excellent state of that preservation. After its abandonment (end of the 3rd/4th century AD), the saltworks was briefly used as a dumping ground for the surrounding area. The site's archaeobotanical remains, preserved under anoxic, waterlogged conditions, consist of the building materials used at the saltworks, tools and other artefacts, organic objects employed in activities such as fishing, and refuse. The assemblage suggests a wide diversity of species to have been introduced into northwestern Iberia during the Roman Period, including the mulberry, peach, fig, plum, grapevine, and melon. The notable presence of other edible fruit species that normally grew wild during this period, such as chestnut, walnut, stone pine, and cherry trees, might be related to the start of their cultivation.
Key Questions
What is the focus of this study?
The study focuses on the Roman economy of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly the role of plant-based foods, which have often been overlooked in favor of prestige goods and activities like trade and mining. It uses the O Areal saltworks as a case study to explore the diversity of plant species and their significance in everyday life.
Why is the O Areal saltworks significant?
The O Areal saltworks is exceptional due to the large number of organic materials preserved under anoxic, waterlogged conditions. These remains provide valuable insights into the plant-based foods and economic activities of the Roman period in northwestern Iberia.
What types of remains were found at the O Areal saltworks?
The remains include building materials, tools, artifacts, organic objects used in activities like fishing, and refuse. The site also preserved a wide variety of archaeobotanical remains, such as seeds, fruits, and other plant-based materials.
What plant species were introduced to northwestern Iberia during the Roman period?
The study identifies several introduced species, including the mulberry, peach, fig, plum, grapevine, and melon. These species reflect the Roman influence on agriculture and diet in the region.
What evidence suggests the start of cultivation for wild species?
The notable presence of edible fruit species that typically grew wild, such as chestnut, walnut, stone pine, and cherry trees, suggests that their cultivation may have begun during the Roman period. This marks a shift towards more organized agricultural practices.
How does this study challenge traditional views of the Roman economy?
The study challenges traditional views by emphasizing the importance of plant-based foods and everyday economic activities, which have often been marginalized in favor of prestige goods and large-scale trade. It highlights the role of local agriculture and food production in the Roman economy.
What does the O Areal saltworks reveal about Roman-era fishing and food preservation?
The saltworks' remains include tools and organic objects related to fishing, suggesting that fishing was an important activity. The presence of salt also indicates its use in food preservation, which was crucial for sustaining the local population.
How does the study contribute to our understanding of Roman agriculture in Iberia?
The study provides evidence of the introduction and cultivation of various plant species, reflecting the Roman influence on agricultural practices. It also highlights the diversity of crops grown and their importance in the local economy and diet.
What is the significance of the waterlogged conditions at the O Areal saltworks?
The waterlogged, anoxic conditions at the site preserved organic materials that would otherwise have decayed. This exceptional preservation allows for detailed analysis of plant remains and other organic artifacts, providing a rare glimpse into everyday life during the Roman period.
What broader implications does this study have for understanding the Roman economy?
The study underscores the importance of local and regional economic activities, such as agriculture and food production, in sustaining the Roman economy. It also highlights the interconnectedness of trade, agriculture, and daily life in the Roman world.
