Palaeoeconomy and Palaeoenvironment of Halmyris—A Roman Settlement in Southeast Romania: Archaeozoological and Phytolith Evidences

Halmyris (Murighiol, Tulcea County, Romania) is one of the most important Roman settlements located in inferior sector Danube Delta, easternmost part Scythia province during Late Antiquity. was easterly fort Danubian border times and probably served as a supply centre for imperial fleet; inscriptions inform on existence ‘mariner’s village’ named vicus classicorum. Given that written information about this settlement extremely incomplete, study animal plant remains can answer questions related to economic life (e.g., human use biological resources) relationship between community environment. This contributes understanding process domination area highlighting improved type cattle, brought reproduced here by Romans), well knowledge environmental changes under anthropic pressure extinction, such aurochs). In 2014, extensive archaeological research took place extramural fort. During research, total 234 sqm investigated through five trenches west–east oriented perpendicular vallum II but not intersecting with it. Phytolith samples were taken from habitation levels dated 5th–6th centuries AD, faunal collected four 4th–6th AD. assemblages site are composed mainly grass phytoliths. We noticed amounts Elongate dendritic forms high proportion silica skeletons. analysis resulting processing 12 shows cereals relevant subsistence economy site, revealing an signal cereal processing. Flax fibers, which strongest natural also identified Halmyris. The exploited resources varied, including molluscs, fish, birds, mammals. Most skeletal belong group Animal husbandry represented occupation; domestic mammals sheep, goat, pig, horse, donkey, dog. predominant species cattle sheep/goat, both number minimal individuals. Hunting had small importance study, red deer wild boar having highest