Núria Romaní Sala’s research while affiliated with Autonomous University of Barcelona and other places

This study aims at reconstructing foodways in the north-east (NE) of the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on lipid residue analysis of utilitarian vessels and using as case studies the sites of Puig Castellar of Biosca (180–120 BCE) and Guissona (120 BCE-third century CE). In total, fifty vessel fragments of different types and origins were analysed with techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). As some vessel fragments were recovered from waterlogged contexts, they had excellent lipid preservation, which enabled the detection of various compounds that are rarely reported in archaeological contexts in Iberia. Analyses revealed both animal and plant products in the vessels, suggested that a variety of food resources was consumed, and that vessels had multiple uses. The detection of levoglucosan in some extracts, along with other heat markers, further suggested the presence of cellulose or starchy products in contact with fire as well as the heating of animal fats. Combined with available bioarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental studies from both sites, the analyses indicated a continuity in diet across the time periods during which the sites were occupied. Some differences were also observed, including the possible use of tubers until the first century CE. The results are then contextualised and compared with other available organic residue studies from the Roman Iberian Peninsula. The study demonstrates how the combination of multiple bioarchaeological proxies and biomolecular approaches can provide a holistic means to approach Roman foodways.

Resum En aquest article presentem les darreres novetats del projecte de recerca al castellum de Puig Cas-tellar de Biosca, un enclavament de caràcter militar que es pot datar entre el 180 aC i el 120 aC, situat a la rereguarda dels esdeveniments bèl·lics que tenien com a escenari principal la vall de l'Ebre. En el present treball volem posar el focus en els aspectes que fins ara no havíem tractat: els espais d'allotjament de la tropa destinada en aquesta fortificació. En les darreres campanyes, hem pogut excavar aquests espais, que ens han proporcionat un interessant model de com podien ser aquestes construccions en assentaments militars estables però de dimensions modestes, i que suposen un contrapunt als models coneguts de grans campaments estables d'aquest període. Abstract. Latest discoveries at the castellum of Puig Castellar: organization and functions of troop barracks In this paper we offer the latest updates of the research project at the castellum of Puig Castellar de Biosca, a military site that can be dated to between 180 BC and 120 BC, situated to the rear of the military frontline which at that time was located in the Ebro Valley. This paper focuses on aspects that have not been previously considered: the accommodation barracks of troops based at this fortification, which we have been able to excavate in recent operations. They provide us with an interesting indication of the possible features of this type of building at stable military bases of modest dimensions, and offer a counterpoint to the well-known models of large stable military camps of this period.

The aim of this paper is to provide data for the knowledge of the strategies followed by Rome to take effective control of the Citerior Province of Hispania during the 2nd century BC. We will analyse two settlements of the north-eastern region, namely Puig Castellar de Biosca (Province of Lleida) and Can Tacó (Province of Barcelona), that will serve to gauge the degree of Roman territorial implementation and under what forms this power will be consolidated. The period that interests us ranges from the end of the second Punic-Roman conflict to the first decades of the 1st century BC. It was a slow process in which Rome did not have a pre-established plan of action but was adapting its strategy to the different circumstances and stages of the conquest. The end of all this was the final control and pacification of the country. While all the researchers have a common understanding that during the first phase of control of the Hispanic territories the army played the most important role, the main discrepancies are related to the nature and characteristics of this occupation. The main focus in this discussion has its centre in the need to define how the Roman Army embodied his presence in Hispania during the first century of conquest and to characterise the different settlements in order to identify and determine with precision their military character or their connection with the process of conquest without a strictly military function. Funding: This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (De la consolidación del poder militar romana a la fundación de ciudades (mediados del siglo II a.C.-principios del siglo I d.C). en la Cuenca del rio Segre: Iesso y Iulia Libica DGYCIT PID2019-104120GB-I00-2023-2021), and the Department of Culture of the Catalan Autonomous Government (La conquesta romana a la Catalunya interior: l’exemple de Puig Castellar (Biosca), CLT009/18/00014).