Résultats préliminaires des études palynologiques et anthracologiques du site phénicien punique de Tharros (Sardaigne).

This study is aimed at the reconstruction of the physic and anthropic environment in the phoenician- punic site of Tharros, located on the Western coast of Sardinia. Since its origin this site is characterized by the role of leadership in economy, craftsmanship and administration politics, that it will have in the punie eparchy of Sardinia. The samples traited for the palynological analysis were found to be quantitatively poor in pollen but mostly rich in pollen types (about 60). The reconstructed flora exhibits a predominance of herbaceous taxa. The constant presence of Cupressaceae type Juniperus, Quercus type ilex/coccifera, Corylus, Cistus, Ericaceae and Olea pollen, proves the presence of a maquis with a few trees. The anthracological analysis of the charbon rests from fires also confirms this hypothesis. Among the herbaceous dominant species it is possible to find pollen of cultivated (cabbage, mustard, fennel, carrot, broad bean, lentil, garlic, onion, cereals) or ruderal plants (Urtica, Plantago, Asteroideae, Cichorioideae, Chenopodiaceae), accompanying the human presence on the territories ; the low frequencies of cereals would exclude they were the only cultivation on the area. The current state of the studies make us thinking that Carthago could have granted Tharros a relative diversity of cultivations : cereals, crops, orchards.