Fish and Crustaceans from a Roman Amphora in Northern Italy

Abstract

In this paper, the study of the contents of an amphora dating to the Roman Empire from the city of Vicenza in northern Italy is discussed. The amphora, along with others, formed part of the foundation of a roadway, which probably functioned for rainwater drainage. The residue in the amphora consisted of remains of very small fish mixed with fragments of crustaceans. Preservation was poor, and only a small proportion of the fragments were identifiable. Due to the small size of the remains, identification was only possible with the use of a microscope. Both freshwater and marine species were identified, suggesting that these fish came from a location on the northern Adriatic shore, where lagoons and estuaries are common.