From the Waters to the Plate to the Latrine: Fish and Seafood from the Cardo V Sewer, Herculaneum

Excavation of the Cardo V sewer in Herculaneum, Italy, revealed a diverse Roman diet with significant marine components. Analysis identified approximately 70 fish taxa and 48 marine mollusc species, indicating a high dietary diversity among non-élite residents. Most fish were small, likely netted in shallow coastal waters, while shellfish included species from sandy shores, rocks, and the seabed, suggesting local collection near the water's edge. The findings suggest that fish and seafood were readily available, nutritious, and likely consumed fresh or preserved as salsamenta (salted) or garum (fermented sauce). The study highlights the importance of marine resources in the Bay of Naples during the Roman era.

Nicholson, R., Robinson, J., Robinson, M., & Rowan, E. (2018). From the Waters to the Plate to the Latrine: Fish and Seafood from the Cardo V Sewer, Herculaneum. Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 13(3), 263–284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-018-9218-y