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The island of Brač is situated in the vicinity of Roman Salona, where over 90 Roman archaeological sites have been documented in different surveys. During the archaeological surveys conducted from 2003 to 2005, some of the larger sites were visited, and samples of amphorae were collected as part of the study Topography of Roman Villas on the Island of Brač and from one rescue excavation. In this research, 16 Roman amphorae were analysed. These amphorae were found in a variety of contexts in 13 main areas, and typological analyses and bibliography lead us to believe that, in the amphorae found, oil and fish sauce (salsamenta) were transported and/or kept. Aim of this research was to determine the function of amphorae as containers of oil and/or fish sauces, analysis of organic-residue content was performed. The residue analysis did not produce definitive answers about the exact oil stored in any particular amphora. Comparing ratios of the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids identified, it is possible to distinguish maritime- origin from vegetable-origin residue with greater certainty. This information is important to help shed some light on the Roman economy and trade routes on the Adriatic coast and further on the way to Africa. In this respect, it is especially satisfying that the residue profiles of samples are in line with what was predicted from typological analyses and bibliography (ethnographic reports). To understand Ancient habits of feeding it is important to continue research on amphora samples from the island of Brač. |
