Archaeological excavations in the town of Sasamón, located in Spain's Burgos province, have revealed fascinating details regarding daily life in the ancient city of Segisamo. Researchers from the University of Salamanca have unearthed a Roman kitchen that was actively used approximately 2,000 years ago. Surrounded by adobe walls rising over stone foundations, this room has managed to preserve its basic structure and function despite being looted over time.
Italian Influence in the Kitchen
The kitchen floor consists of a hard clay layer compacted over small stones, an ideal surface for daily use and cleaning. A thick layer of ash and charcoal was identified at the spot where the hearth once burned. Archaeologists discovered large jars known as 'dolia' used for cooking and storage, as well as bowls and mortars. In particular, ceramics imported from Italy known as 'Pompeian red' demonstrate the extent of the trade networks during that period [1].
Researchers state that fragments of portable ovens called 'clibanus' found in the kitchen were used for baking bread. These findings parallel other similar discoveries indicating that Roman settlements in the region possessed not only a military presence but also a sophisticated social and economic structure [2]. This kitchen in Segisamo points to a developmental process similar to structures in other major centers where Rome utilized agricultural and culinary culture as elements of leisure and prestige [3].
A Transition Period of Blending Cultures
The kitchen dates back to the reigns of the Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius, the years when Segisamo began its transformation into a Roman city. The head of the excavation emphasizes that the local Turmogo people adopted Roman dietary habits while simultaneously maintaining their own traditions. This situation is clearly evidenced by the coexistence of locally produced pottery and luxury Italian ceramics within the kitchen.
The excavation site revealed not only Roman remains but also residential ruins dating between the 16th and 19th centuries, along with Christian graves hastily buried outside a church courtyard. The team is conducting large-scale mapping using drones and ground-penetrating radar to protect the archaeological heritage of the region. Experts remind that such scientific recording is vital for recovering contextual information destroyed by illegal excavations.
Sources and further reading
- [1] Archaeologists uncover 2,000-year-old workshops and Roman necropolis in Egypt’s western Nile Delta | Archaeology News Online Magazine
- [2] Archaeologists uncover 2,000-year-old... - Archaeology News
- [3] Archaeologists uncover 2,000-year-old Roman winery
Image & News Source: Archaeologymag / archaeologymag.com