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The Coval Simó shelter provides some of the oldest evidence for settlement on the island of Mallorca and the Balearic archipelago. It also has the peculiarity of being a habitat in a mountain area, so that the human groups that settled there had to adapt their agricultural and farming sys­tem to this environment. The plant remains (wood charcoal and seeds) recovered in the occupation levels allow us to address these issues, since they are the result of the different activities developed in this cavity: fuel for domestic activities, food for livestock, etc. The results of this study show that between the III and II millennium cal BC, an agricultural system based on livestock and cereal farming was implement­ed, which exploited local forest formations to obtain resources, among them, firewood. The plants that were exploit­ed show the existence of juniper forests, with the presence of maples and legumes, among other shrubs and bushes., El Coval Simó constituye una de las evidencias más antiguas de poblamiento en la isla de Mallorca y en el ar­chipiélago balear. Tiene, además, la particularidad de ser un hábitat en zona de montaña, de modo que los grupos huma­nos que se asentaron allí debieron de adaptar su sistema agropecuario y de explotación del entorno a este medio. Los restos vegetales (carbones y semillas) recuperados en los niveles de ocupación del yacimiento permiten aproximarse a estas cuestiones, ya que son resultado de las distintas ac­tividades desarrolladas en esta cavidad: combustible para las actividades domésticas, alimento para el ganado, etc. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que entre el III y II milenio cal BC se implantó un sistema agropecuario basado en la ganadería y en el cultivo de cereales, que realizaba una explotación de las formaciones forestales locales para la ob­tención de recursos, entre ellos, el combustible leñoso. Las formaciones vegetales explotadas remiten a la existencia de bosques de enebros o sabinas, con presencia de arces y ma­torrales de leguminosas, entre otros arbustos y matas.

Introducción y objetivos: El sitio arqueológico Cueva Salamanca 1 (CS1), Antofagasta de la Sierra (Catamarca, Argentina), está relacionado a las asociaciones vegetales pajonal, tolar y vega y fue habitado por grupos cazadores-recolectores (ca. 10.000 - 6.000 años AP). Se estudian los restos vegetales recuperados del sitio CS1, con el fin de determinar las condiciones paleoambientales que se sucedieron durante el Holoceno, las cuales determinaron el uso y la explotación específica de diferentes asociaciones vegetales por parte de grupos humanos que lo habitaban. M&M: Los macrorrestos vegetales recuperados fueron analizados con microscopía y mediante comparaciones morfológicas con las especies de la flora actual circundante al sitio. Resultados: De las 60 especies vegetales que crecen en el ambiente actual relacionado al sitio CS1, 44 % están representadas en los macrorrestos recuperados, tanto herbáceos como leñosos no carbonizados y carbonizados, pertenecientes a las familias Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ephedraceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae y Verbenaceae. Se observa un mayor uso del tolar, seguido por el pajonal y la vega durante toda la secuencia, considerando las especies que crecen en un radio de 30 km a partir del sitio. Conclusiones: Los grupos humanos que habitaron CS1, durante el Holoceno Medio temprano, Medio tardío y Tardío, han efectuado una ocupación efectiva y conocían e identificaban las distintas especies vegetales para ser explotadas como combustible, confección de tecnofacturas y camadas de descanso. Las adaptaciones morfológicas y anatómicas observadas en las especies halladas reflejan las condiciones del paleoambiente durante el Holoceno Background and aims: The archaeological site Cueva Salamanca 1 (CS1), Antofagasta de la Sierra (Catamarca, Argentina), is related to the grassland, tolar and lowland plant associations and was inhabited by hunter-gatherer groups (ca. 10,000 - 6,000 years BP). The plant remains recovered from the CS1 site are studied in order to determine the palaeoenvironmental conditions that occurred during the Holocene, which determined the use and specific exploitation of different plant associations by human groups that inhabited the site. M&M: The plant macroremains recovered from CS1 were analysed with microscopy and by morphological comparisons with the species of the current flora surrounding the site. Results: Of the 60 plant species that grow in the current environment related to the CS1 archaeological site, 44% are represented in the recovered, both herbaceous and woody charred and non-charred, belonging to the families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ephedraceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae and Verbenaceae. A greater use of the tolar is observed, followed by the grassland and the lowland during the whole sequence, considering the species that grow in a radius of 30 km from the site. Conclusions: The human groups that inhabited CS1, during the Holocene Early Middle, Late Middle and Late, have made an effective occupation and knew and identified the different plant species to be exploited as fuel, preparation of manufactures and resting litters. The morphological and anatomical adaptations observed in the species found reflect the conditions of the paleoenvironment during the Holocene Fil: Apóstolo, Nancy Mariel. Universidad Nacional de Luján; Argentina Fil: Rodríguez, María Fernanda. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Pintar, Elizabeth Lucia. Austin Community College; Estados Unidos

International audience; This paper presents the archaeobotanical study of several Neolithic settlements located in the Valais, the upper part of the Rhone Valley, in Switzerland. The archaeological sites are dated between 5000 and 4200 cal bc, which corresponds to the Early and the Middle Neolithic. Most of the sites are situated around 500–600 m, overhanging the alluvial plain of the Rhone. First results of the macroremains analysis show that cereals, comprising mainly naked wheat (Triticum aestivum s.l./durum/turgidum) and barley (Hordeum distichum/vulgare), are predominant. In addition, pea (Pisum sativum) and opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) are recorded. Gathered plants are sparse, and this from the first establishment of farmers around 5000 cal bc. If we compare the obtained results with data from the Northern French Alps, not far from the Valais, we get a completely different picture of the Neolithic plant economy. In the northern French Alps the communities exploited all vegetation levels from the collinean to the subalpine belt, gathered plants playing an important role alongside the cultivated species. Our first results are giving a new insight into the first agro-pastoral communities in the Swiss Alps; they are allowing us to understand how plant resources were exploited in a mountainous context and to outline the catchment area of the settlements.

Paco dos Lobos da Gama is a seventeenth-century manor house, built by the Lobos da Gama family. It’s located in the city center of Evora in Rua Serpa Pinto. In 2008 the area was subjected to a rescue archaeological excavation, which continued during the following year. The interventions focused mainly on the backyard behind the property. The area 6 revealed an important set of archaeological remains dated from the 1st to 2nd centuries AD until the end of the Modern times, with special emphasis on the Islamic period. The plants macro remains, which are main subjects of this study, come exclusively from Islamic contexts. The archaeological contexts investigated, except for one unit, belong to negative structures. Among all, the septic tank was particularly rich in mineralized seeds and fruits, mostly belonging to fruit trees/shrubs. This study is intended to characterize the use and consumption of plant foods by the Islamic community living in the area. It also seeks to better understand the structural contexts in which the samples were collected. The aspects related to the exploitation of the wood resources, as well as those of the site, are also discussed. The study is still ongoing, and only some preliminary results are presented here.

International audience; The present study is a review of the archaeobotanical analyses carried out in the last decade at the three ancient Roman port/dock system sites of Pisae, Portus, and Neapolis. Pollen, plant macrofossils (leaf, wood, seed/fruit macroremains) and wood constituting the shipwrecks were considered, and the results, partly unpublished, integrated and interpreted. Waterlogged sediments from these port areas turned out to be particularly suited for archaeobotanical analysis and opened new perspectives in ancient harbour studies. This is the first time that a synthesis of archaeobotanical data from Italian archaeological sites of the same typology is attempted for the Roman period. The disparate sampling strategies and available materials for macrofossil analysis in the various sites – cores in Portus, short sediment sequences in Pisae, and single visible hand-collected macroremains in Neapolis – conditioned the results obtained for these remains, making the comparison among sites a particularly difficult task. The urgency of establishing a common protocol between archaeologists and archaeobotanists is thus emphasized. The plant micro-and macrofossils highlight that in Roman times the landscape of the Italian coasts between Pisa and Naples was formed by deciduous oak plain forests (whose relicts are preserved in some protected areas, like in Parco Nazionale del Circeo, south of Rome and along the coast of the Pisan plain, in the Migliarino San Rossore Regional Park) with prevalence of mesophilous elements. The Mediterranean vegetation was not widespread as expected and maquis was limited to small areas by the coast. Surprisingly, mountain elements such as beech and silver fir were not so rare in pre-Roman times, suggesting that these trees could have occupied wider areas than at present. Besides food plant remains typical of the Roman age, the port sediments also preserved seeds, fruits and leaves of the wild vegetation. Comparing the results obtained by palynology with the shipwreck wood study showed that the boats were prevailingly built with local timber, often with conifers. The use of silver fir, though never very frequent, still confirms the preference of shipbuilders for this timber, which was not always available in the close surroundings of the three sites.

Le Tell Aswad, à Bosra, désigne une importante accumulation de couches cendreuses située à l’ouest et au sud de l’amphithéâtre, datée entre le iie et le ive siècles ap. J.-C. et dont l’origine et la fonction sont mal comprises. Durant la fouille de la zone, conduite en 2008, les macrorestes végétaux brûlés – graines, fruits et charbons de bois – contenus dans le sédiment ont été récupérés afin de voir quelles informations sur la zone de fouille et sur la ville ils pouvaient apporter. L’identification taxonomique de ces éléments végétaux, constitués en grande partie de plantes cultivées – céréales, légumineuses et fruitiers – et dans une moindre mesure de taxons sauvages, apporte un éclairage nouveau sur la gestion des productions végétales et du combustible à Bosra à l’époque romaine tardive. Les végétaux ont pour la plupart une origine locale, mais proviennent également de zones plus éloignées de Syrie du Sud. La grande quantité de végétaux brûlés retrouvés, et leur homogénéité sur l’ensemble de la stratigraphie fouillée, témoignent de pratiques intensives de combustion dont l’origine est discutée. Tell Aswad is an important accumulation of ashy layers located west and south of the amphitheater of Bosra and dated between the 2nd and 4th centuries A.D. Its origin and function are poorly understood. During the excavation of the area, conducted in 2008, sédiment charred plant macroremains – seeds, fruits and charcoals – were recovered. Taxonomic identifications of these plants allow recognizing various crops – cereals, pulses and fruits – and wild taxa and bring a new light on the management of crops and fuel in Bosra. The plants mostly grew in and around the city, but some of them came from others places in Southern Syria. The great quantity of charred plant and their homogeneity underline intensive combustion practices whose origin is discussed.

The analysis of phytoliths, pollen, charcoal and other macroremains was carried out in the neolithic shelter of ‘‘La Grande Rivoire'', Vercors massif (French Alps). The results show the predominance of tree species, in the form of phytoliths, clustered pollen, stomata, small branches charcoal, needles, bark, buds. The practice of leaf fodder is already known in the alpine and circum-alpine area from archaeological and historical sources. The analyses of the neolithic dung levels of ‘‘La Grande Rivoire'' illustrate the use of leafy and flowering tree branches as fodder. The results also suggest that some species were used for special purpose in relation with the tending of livestock (litter, dietary supplement, veterinary practices).

Stanowisko w Witowie, położone ok. 50 kilometrów na północny wschód od Krakowa, jest znane z odsłonięcia osadów określanych mianem serii witowskiej. Były one przedmiotem badań paleobotanicznych, paleozoologicznych, sedymentologicznych i petrograficznych. W osadach serii witowskiej znaleziono oznaczalne makroszczątki roślin iglastych i okrytozalążkowych. Szczególnie interesujące są kopalne gatunki Pinus cf. palaeostrobus, Zelkova zelkovifolia i Spirematospermum wetzleri. Wyniki badań szczątków roślinnych wskazują na późnomioceński lub plioceński wiek serii witowskiej. Kopalne zbiorowiska roślinne, które występowały w okolicy Witowa można porównać do współczesnych podzwrotnikowych lasów wilgotnych obszaru Kolchidy i Niziny Tałyskiej na Zakaukaziu oraz środkowych Chin. Obecność szczątków roślinności ciepłolubnej wskazuje na cieplejszy niż obecnie klimat okresu sedymentacji serii witowskiej. Witów jest znany także ze stanowisk archeologicznych. Obszar ten od neolitu był wielokrotnie zasiedlany. Ślady najintensywniejszego osadnictwa pochodzą z końca epoki brązu i początków epoki żelaza (1000-600 BC) i są odnoszone do kultury łużyckiej. Na stanowisku w Witowie znaleziono także średniowieczny cmentarz datowany na koniec jedenastego wieku po Chrystusie, będący pierwszym dowodem na obecność średniowiecznego osadnictwa na tym terenie. Położenie Witowa na brzegu doliny Wisły zapewne dawało mu kontrolę nad okolicznymi szlakami oraz, być może, także nad brodami. Możliwe, że Witów sprawował także polityczną kontrolę na otaczających go terenach. Biorąc pod uwagę naukową wartość stanowiska w Witowie i wynikającą stąd konieczność jego ochrony, postulowane jest utworzenie na jego obszarze rezerwatu przyrody. The study area near village Witów situated about 50 kilometres north-east of the Kraków city is famous for its exposed deposits called the "Witów Series" on which palaeobotanical, micro- and macrofaunistic, malacological, sedimentological and petrographical studies have already been performed. From deposits of the Witów Series, plant macroremains belonging to gymnosperms and angiosperms were reported. Pinus cf. palaeostrobus, Zelkova zelkovifolia and Spirematospermum wetzleri are particularly interesting. Results of investigations on fossil plant remains point to the Late Miocene to Pliocene age of the Witów Series. Plant communities that existed in the vicinity of Witów could be compared to recent warm temperate and humid forests of the Colchis and Talysh Lowland in Transcaucasus and to forests of Central China. Presence of remains of termophilous taxa point to warmer climate of the period of sedimentation of the Witów Series than recent climate of Poland. The Witów region is also famous for archaeological localities that has been known since the turn of the twentieth century. The site was being repeatedly settled beginning with the late Stone Age (the Neolithic Period). Traces of the most intensive periods of settlement come from the late Bronze and early Iron Ages (1000-600 BC) and are attributed to the so-called Lusatian culture. The site also yielded a medieval cemetery that can be dated to the turn of the twelfth century AD. This is the first confirmation of the presence of medieval settlements on this site. Location of Witów in the Vistula river valley may have allowed this settlement to control nearby routes and possibly river fords and also probably exercised political control over the surrounding areas. Considering scientific value of the Witów locality and necessity of their protection, creation of natural reserve on this area is suggested.