Archaeobotanical evidence of funerary rituals in roman necropolis of Mutina (Northern Italy): a multidisciplinary approach

An interdisciplinary method involving different disciplines of archeology was carried out on the necropolis of Mutina, in order to have a complete view of the funerary rituals. Cremation graves coming from Mutina necropolis have been analysed (1st – 2th century AD). In addition to traditional methods, new technologies helped to study offerings presence. For what concerns Via Cesana necropolis, a computed tomography has been performed on 8 urns thanks to TEC-EUROLAB (Modena), in order to carry out a systematic microexcavation. Then soil has been sieved and then archaeobotanical (seeds/fruit) and archaeological findings were collected. Seeds/fruits found mostly belong to cultivated plants or, anyway, plants that can be used as food, as Cereals, Pulses and Fruit plants, even if the analysis are still an ongoing research. These remains of meals left on the graves and of the objects involved in the ceremonies, are evidence resulting from the attendance of the funeral space. It has been also decided to analyse the dust inside the balsamari found among the grave goods of the urns. Raman and XRF analysis have been carried out in order to verify the presence of cosme- tic dusts: hematite, cinnambar, malachite marks have been found. In tomb 15 a grape flower has been found and it could be a residue of the preparation of oenanthe or it could also be the evidence of omphacio, prepared with unripe grapes.