Archaeobotany in the archaeology of wine: current approaches and future possibilities

Interactions between archaeology and archaeobotany, chemistry and archaeometry have in recent years forged promising pathways to illuminate some of the remaining unresolved grey areas in the study of Roman viticulture and wine production. ! is chapter will focus on key topics for the study of vine-growing and winemaking: in particular, macro remains, ancient DNA, charcoal, pollen and phytoliths. We examine for each how appropriate methodologies or fi eld practices can signifi cantly advance our historical knowledge. ! is chapter is enhanced by close collaboration between the authors and archaeobotanists, as well as experts in chemistry and archaeometry, illuminating how a greater degree of communication and collaboration between archaeologists and scientists can improve the historical and archaeological reconstruction of ancient viticulture and winemaking. ! e discussion is restricted mainly to the western Mediterranean, with reference to northern Italy and the Valpolicella area, where a multidisciplinary project has since 2020 produced a wealth of data that is enriching our understanding of viticulture and wine production in Graeco-Roman antiquity.