Snapshots from the past: Biodiversity of the Vesuvian area before AD 79 from new archaeopalynological studies

Abstract

The Vesuvian area is rich in well-studied archaeological sites, in which the exceptional preservation of plant remains has led to an in-depth botanical reconstruction of aspects related to diet, rituals and elements of the local urban landscape. Pollen analyses have been mainly focused on the reconstruction of gardens, providing direct evidence of floristic composition, plant selection and seasonality. With a biological approach, the present study aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the plant diversity that characterised the Vesuvian area through the study of 1^st century AD Vesuvian sites, i.e. Stabiae and Pompeii. Forty pollen samples were studied from three sites in the Vesuvian area: the two multipoint sites of Stabiae and Pompeii and the Civita Giuliana site close to Pompeii. At Stabiae (nowadays Castellammare di Stabia), pollen investigation conducted in two villae (“Villa Arianna” and “Villa San Marco”) provided important information to reconstruct the plant landscape before the catastrophic eruption of AD 79. In Pompeii, two plaster samples from two houses (“Casa del Menandro” and “Casa del Centenario”) were studied and, in the nearby Civita Giuliana, samples are from an agricultural area. Among the main features common to the studied contexts, it is noteworthy the presence of a large amount of pollen from fruit trees (Juglans, Olea, Vitis, Castanea) and evidence of ornamental plants. These elements characterised the rich cultural landscape of the area. Despite some caution due to pollen preservation issues, when a high level of identification is achieved, palynology proves to be a reliable tool for the knowledge of biodiversity and landscape patterns in vulnerable areas exposed to natural events.