Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.33254/piaz.43.1.5
Archaeobotanical research at the Roman-age harbour of Barbir (Sukošan) in Croatia
Petra Petković
; Univeristat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
Sara Essert
; Division of Botany, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Zagreb, Croatia
Mladen Pešić
; International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Abstract
An archaeobotanical analysis of plant remains from the ancient (1st–5th century) harbour of Barbir (Sukošan) in Croatia examined 13 samples collected in 2019–2020, yielding 1,260 macrofossils. Twentyfour plant taxa were identified, with the most abundant being the common fig (Ficus carica), Mediterranean seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa), domesticated olive (Olea europaea), grapevine (Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera/sylvestris), and stone pine (Pinus pinea). Edible woody plants dominate the assemblage in terms of macrofossil counts, reflecting the importance of perennial fruit crops to the local economy and diet. In contrast, weeds and ruderal plants account for the highest taxonomic diversity, although they represent only a minor proportion of the total finds. A comparison with archaeobotanical data from other Roman-period coastal sites across the Mediterranean indicates that the Barbir assemblage reflects plant exploitation patterns typical of Roman harbours. Notably, no remains of exotic plant species were identified. This suggests that, although archaeological evidence such as tableware, kitchen ceramics, amphorae, and glass vessels demonstrates extensive connections with the Italian, North African, and Aegean regions, the botanical record primarily reflects the use of local or regional plant resources rather than the importation of food plants from distant areas.
Keywords
archaeobotany; plant macrofossils; waterlogged material; Roman period; Adriatic coast
Hrčak ID:
353256
URI
Publication date:
10.11.2026.
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