(Sub)urban gardens from Provence (Southern France, 14^th–17^th century) and the presence of Ricinus communis

Isabel Figueiral (1, 2) , Pascale Chevillot (1) , Sophie Martin (1, 3) , Sarah Ivorra (2) , Françoise Paone (1) , Elsa Sagetat-Basseuil (1) , Brigitte De-Luca (1) , Josiane Cuzon (1)

1 Inrap - Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives
2 UMR ISEM - Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier
3 ASM - Archéologie des Sociétés Méditerranéennes

Excavation work carried out at Istres and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (Provence, Southern France), in the framework of preventive archaeology, uncovered evidence of ancient gardens (13/14th–17th centuries), equipped with lined wells. Significant numbers of waterlogged remains of fruit species as well as legumes and condiments provided information on the availability of “healthy” foods to complement and diversify the daily diet of urban dwellers, largely dependent on bread. Other herbaceous plants reflecting the background environment of this agriculture-arboriculture production are also identified (weeds, ruderals, plants from meadows and other humid habitats etc.). The archaeobotanical assemblage identified in both sites also includes Ricinus communis, a highly toxic plant. As far as we know this is the first time Ricinus seeds are recorded by archaeobotany in Europe. The likely significance of this discovery is discussed taking into account the archaeological and palaeoenvironmental contexts of the findings and the known history of this plant.

Domains: Humanities and Social Sciences; Archaeology and Prehistory

Isabel Figueiral, Pascale Chevillot, Sophie Martin, Sarah Ivorra, Françoise Paone, et al.. (Sub)urban gardens from Provence (Southern France, 14^th–17^th century) and the presence of Ricinus communis. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2021, 30, pp.313-329. ⟨hal-03676904⟩