Roman diet and nutrition in the Vesuvian region: a study of the bioarchaeological remains from the Cardo V sewer at Herculaneum

A comprehensive bioarchaeological study of the Cardo V sewer at Herculaneum challenges long-standing assumptions about Roman diets, revealing that middle and lower-class inhabitants consumed a diverse, nutrient-dense diet. Analysis of 220 liters of soil uncovered 194 taxa, including cereals, fruits, seafood, and other edible foodstuffs, indicating close ties to local resources and contradicting the notion of widespread malnutrition in urban centers. The findings align with ancient textual descriptions but extend their applicability beyond the elite, suggesting that diet quality was not solely a function of wealth. This large-scale study integrates archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and modern food science to provide unprecedented insights into Roman nutrition, health, and economic practices.

Rowan, E., & Rowan, E. S. (2014). Roman diet and nutrition in the Vesuvian region: a study of the bioarchaeological remains from the Cardo V sewer at Herculaneum [Oxford University, UK]. https://doi.org/10.5287/ORA-O0WJNQQ8Y