The city of Modena (Emilia Romagna, Northern Italy). Seeds and fruits, pollen and non pollen palynomorphs from layers dated to Roman period

Archaeobotanical analyses have been carried out on the site “Novi Ark” in the city of Modena. The excavation has also brought to light a necropolis, rural buildings, tanks and production facilities. Pollen, NPPs, seeds/fruits were collected from archaeological layers dated between the 5th-4th BC and 2nd AD. Below are reported the main features of samples significant for NPPs analyses, grouped by chronological phases. 5th-4th BC soil – The analyses show an open oak-dominated wood. The good value of riparian trees (alders and willows) with sedges, Nuphar and Thalictrum flavum type suggests proximity to wetlands. A high concentration of large size microcharcoals might suggest anthropogenic fire, that could have caused the formation of large clearings colonized by bracken fern, which responds readily to the fire, thanks to the rootstock resistant to high temperature. 1st BC-2nd AD circular tank - The tank was surrounded by a hedge of boxwoods, testified by a good percentage of pollen and seeds. The presence of Ceratophyllum spines in the pollen samples, many achenes of Ceratophyllum sp.pl., some achenes of Myriophyllum spicatum suggests a situation suitable for the fish farm. Hornwort and water-milfoil are optimal to provide support to the eggs of fish. This hypothesis is supported by the occurrence of fish remains. The occurrence of algae of genus Tribonema type and hydrophytes as Cerathophyllum sp.pl., Myryophyllum spicatum, Ranunculus subgen. batrachium, Lemna minor/gibba indicates stagnant or slowly flowing waters, from meso- to eutrophic, nutrient-rich. Near the tank there were grasslands, probably used for grazing, as suggested by the dominance of Poaceae, Cichorieae, Dicrocoelium eggs and dung fungal spores. 1st AD deposit of basin – The prevalence of Poaceae accompanied by Cichorieae, Centaurea nigra type, Trifolium, Medicago, and dung fungal spores testifies the presence of grassland that could be grazed. The high values of pollen and seeds of Lemna indicate the presence of still waters. This is also supported by the finding of spermatophores of copepods. On the whole archaeobotanical analyses highlighted the presence of various environments, such as woods, wetlands and grazed grassland.