Punica granatum L. (Pomegranates) from early Roman contexts in Vindonissa (Switzerland)

At the later legionary camp of Vindonissa, early Roman (Augustan-Claudian) structures were excavated during a rescue excavation between 1996 and 1998. In phase 2 (10 BC until O), seven in situ carbonised wooden barrels, dug into the ground, were found. They belong to a rather large building which was most probably used as storage facility. Two of the barrels contained, in the bottom layers, several hundred seeds and pericarp fragments of pomegranates (Punica granatum L.). A large number of other "exotic" plant taxa such as olive, walnut, pine, pistacio, peach, cherry (and probably date) were also found in rather large quantities. Above all, the finds of pomegranates are unique: they are the first finds of this Mediterranean fruit in regions north of the Alps. The origin, use, and other archaeological finds of the pomegranate in the Roman period are discussed. A comparison with other early Roman spectra shows that such large quantities of "exotic" useful plants are mainly present at larger military sites like the legionary camps of Novaesium or Oberaden. It must also be suggested that the pre-camp-phases in Vindonissa already had a military character, although this is not at all clear from the other archaeological finds. The precise role of the site is still a matter of debate.