Hello
I'm analysing a site in London, and have a Roman layer dated to 130-140AD.
It has produced 500+ waterlogged seeds of Bryonia cretica dioica (white
bryony). I was wondering if anyone else has come across such a
concentration in their work. I have done the usual research in journals and
on the web, but only found contexts with one or two seeds. It does have
some medicinal properties, but i don't hold a lot of hope by that, as it
seems to be of a rather violent nature.
I would be interested to hear if anyone has come across a similar
assemblage, or has any thoughts on uses. The remainder of the assemblage
was composed of fairly bog-standard species such as Rumex acetosella,
Stellaria gramineae and Rubus sp.
Thanks
Alys
Alys Vaughan-Williams
ArchaeoScape
Royal Holloway University London
Egham
TW20 0EX
Tel: 01784 443566
|