Archeologia del verde urbano nel Mediterraneo antico: riflessioni su Tharros punica e romana

Abstract

The literary evidence of gardens and orchards in ancient Mediterranean cities, although numerous, is not reflected
in an equal amount of material evidence: their archaeological identification is often complex. This contribution
proposes a hypothesis for the recognition of green spaces in urban contexts, based on a critical analysis
of the available data. The case of Tharros offers an interesting study opportunity, considering the scarcity of
direct archaeological evidence on the presence of such places. The aim is to identify, through direct analysis of
remains and paleobotanical and excavation data, clues which – although not providing definitive proof – could
be attributed to orchards or gardens within the settlement.

Key words: archaeology of green spaces, gardens in living areas, paleobotany, ancient Mediterranean area,
Punic and Roman Tharros.