La coltura della Reseda Biondella. Un primato nell'area di Mutina?

The Ex Cassa di Risparmio site is a reclaimed channel - first Imperial age - located in the center of the city of Modena and it is unique in Emilia Romagna for the archaeobotanical information provided on urban area. The study of seeds/fruits remains produced a framework which can be considered representative for reconstructing the vegetal environment of Mutina at the moment of maximum splendor of the Roman empire and of the city; some species appeared particularly worthy of insights, such as weld - Reseda luteola L., grass species that produces a very stable yellow pigment used since ancient times for dyeing fabrics like wool, linen and silk. The abundance of seeds found in the drained canal suggests agricultural practices implemented in peri-urban area of the city and presumably related to the economy of this prosperous Roman colony. Agriculture should have been a strong element of its economy in addition to ceramic production, sheep farming and the textile industry