An important part of the project focuses on the study of Imperial amphorae from Laietania produced in the region of Badalona (Catalonia), as well as Laietanian amphorae found in consumption contexts in Badalona (Baetulo), to confirm their wine content. Due to the large number of types of amphorae that can be studied, we are focusing on amphorae that have already been studied from a typological and petrographic point of view (see Martínez Ferreras 2014) and in particular on Pascual 1 and Dr 2-4.

At the same time, we are sampling mortar and opus signinum from presses, floors, vats and dolia of the production facilities to identify chemical and micro-botanical residues (e.g. pollen) to confirm the production of wine, as well as other possible uses of these facilities, and to establish whether specific treatments such as pitch or sulphur were used to waterproof the amphorae, dolia and vats. At the same time we are focusing on the identification of different types of resin/pitch and associated plants in the manufacture of wine.

Were the same methods applied in the various production centers of Laietania?

Along with this study of the production centers, we are developing an experimental path in order to better identify the markers of substances, expanding our reference samples. For example, we have prepared and analyzed experimental ceramic samples enriched with black grape extract inside, to verify if the analysis techniques used can recognize the presence of typical black grape markers (syringic acid). We have also carried out an experiment on the conservation of olives in grape extract, to identify the residues left by this type of conservation. This experimental analysis has arisen as a result of the data obtained with the analysis of African amphorae, since residues of wine/vinegar and vegetable oil have been confirmed in some of them. These results can now be compared with the analyses of the Haltern 70 of El Olivillo where, according to the tituli picti, the content of (black) olives in defrutum was the norm.