Palynology of Roman rural sites in the Cisalpine Gaul (n italy): case studies from the RuRES Project

Palynological research can be crucial for reconstructing past environmental and ecological dynamics in archaeological contexts. By analysing pollen preserved in ancient sediments, it is possible to gather information about past plant cover and understand human-plant interactions. Moreover, pollen can be an index of agricultural and other land use practices, providing a comprehensive view of daily activities of ancient populations. The palaeoecological perspective is therefore especially useful in the RuRES project (Rural Resilience. Decentralised Landscapes and Ecological Strategies of Non-elite Groups in Cisalpine Gaul), coordinated by Lorenzo Zamboni, which aims to investigate ecological strategies and resilience practices adopted by rural communities during changing environmental and political conditions. Isola Felice in Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia) and Calvatone (Cremona) are the investigated sites in Northern Italy. They represent important evidence of the Roman period in the Po Plain. Both are known for their historical significance and the discovery of archaeological materials testifying to the evolution of cultural and social practices. In this contribution, some results of palynological analyses carried out at the two archaeological sites are reported to outline plant diversity and the main traits characterising the differentSession overview Session overview 426 427 contexts. Pollen sampling was carried out selecting conservative sediments and collecting samples from different layers in the excavations. In Calvatone, 22 samples were taken from Sector 4 and a productive area, while at Isola Felice, 36 samples were taken from sections of sectors West and East. Pollen was extracted following a concentration treatment and analysed with reference material and atlases. In general, forest cover was low, mainly composed by mixed oakwood (e.g., deciduous Quercus, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior type) and wet environments were also evident (e.g., Alnus among trees, Sparganium emersum type and Cyperaceae among herbs). Furthermore, human activities have been identified by the anthropogenic pollen indicators (cereals and other synanthropic taxa) and characterised both sites.