Ricerc@Sapienza

Results of archaeobotanical analyses carried out in a Renaissance pit situated in the Santi Quattro Coronati complex in Rome are presented. The study focuses on carpological remains, preserved through mummification by desiccation. The complex, first attest- ed in 499 AD, underwent a long series of transformations and ad- ditions over the course of the centuries. In the 13th century it was divided between a monastery filiated with the Umbrian Abbey of Sassovivo and a vast palace, meant to host the cardinals. Starting from 1564 the complex hosted the Conservatory of the Orphan Girls, run by Augustinian Nuns, who still guard the complex.
The area under analysis derives from the partial closure of the stair- case of a Carolingian tower set in the eastern side of the complex. This was used as a disposal pit during the 16th and 17th centuries, in correspondence of the occupation by the court of the cardinals and perhaps the Orphan Girls. The tower was emptied during ex- cavations carried out in 1996, leading to the identification of five stratigraphic units. After a rough selection of the remains, the rest of the sediment was deposited in sealed buckets and stored in the context of retrieval.
Part of the material belonging to stratigraphic units 3 and 4 was se- lected for analysis. The material was first sieved and later handpicked.
Approximately 6,000 well-preserved fragments of seeds and fruits, belonging to 35 taxa, mostly identified at species level and attribut- ed to 18 different plant families were identified. The main findings are represented by Pastinaca sativa (parsnip), Juglans regia (walnut) and Vitis vinifera (grape). Except for a few wild species, the plant assemblage is rich in diet remains. These include cereals, such as oat (Avena fatua/sterilis), legumes, with a prevalence of faba beans (Vicia faba – var. major), fruits, including peaches (Prunus persica), walnuts (Juglans regia), pomegranates (Punica granatum), as well as spices, including fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). A peculiar finding is constituted by New World species.
The good state of conservation of the botanical remains in the San- ti Quattro Coronati pit, as well as their abundance, are correlated to the favourable thermo-hygrometric conditions found in the tower. The botanical assemblage confirms the high social status of the inhabitants of the complex at the time of usage of the pit.
The presence of New World species identifies the complex as one of the first landmarks where goods were brought to from the newly discovered continent.