The Santa Giusta lagoon (Sardinia, Italy): New archaeobotanical data from an Archaic Punic transport amphora of the sixth century BC

Abstract The Santa Giusta lagoon, located in Central-West Sardinia (Italy), contains one of the most significant archaeological sites of Punic Sardinia, investigated by a multidisciplinary research project since 2005. The north-eastern part of the lagoon is characterised by a wide dispersion of archaeological materials over a large area. The artefacts, Punic transport amphorae, coarse pottery and manufactured wood elements, can be ascribed to two main chronological phases, the sixth-fifth century BC and the third-second century BC. Plant macroremains, mostly pertaining to cultivated species, are present in the archaeological layers and have been recognised as part of the contents of the amphorae, together with remains mainly of ovine/caprid bones with slaughter or butchering marks. This paper presents the results of archaeobotanical analysis of a transport amphora newly discovered at the site; it contained, together with animal bones, Vitis vinifera remains, an association already well documented. However, this new finding reveals a novelty, as remains of two aromatic species, Coriandrum sativum and Anethum graveolens , were also identified within the assemblage. Both taxa have an eastern distribution, particularly linked to south-western Asia. Their presence suggests the introduction of these aromatic plants to Sardinia during the Punic period and supports hypotheses concerning their use in meat processing and preservation practices.