At the origins of Pompeii: the plant landscape of the Sarno River floodplain from the first millennium bc to the ad 79 eruption

Abstract The ad 79 eruption of the Vesuvius severely affected floodplain surrounding ancient city Pompeii, i.e. Sarno River floodplain. landscape was covered with volcaniclastic materials that destroyed ecosystem but, at same time, preserved traces former environmental conditions. This study provides—for first time—a pollen sequence reconstructing evolution and plant between 900 750 cal bc 79, before during foundation city, its life phases. Previous geomorphological studies revealed portion under “Pompeii hill” a freshwater backswamp patchy inundated dry areas. Palynology depicts thin forest cover since Early Iron Age, suggesting an open environment mosaic vegetation types. local presence Mediterranean coastal shrubland, hygrophilous riverine mesophilous plain is combined regional contribution mountain through sequence. Oscillations wet ground characterized studied area until eruption. Such natural shows anthropogenic traits pre-Roman times: pasturelands, cultivated fields olive groves, which probably occupied drier soils. most important change in land use system introduction cabbage cultivation fourth century intensification from second , when Roman influence grew. tree crops ornamental trees reveals opulence Imperial age catastrophic