Plant records reveal remarkable evidence about past environments and human cultures. Exploiting dental calculus analysis and using a combined approach of microscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, our research outlines dietary ecology and phytomedicinal practices of the ancient community of Motya (Sicily, eight to sixth century BC), one of the most important Phoenician settlements in the Mediterranean basin. Micro-remains suggest use or consumption of Triticeae cereals, and animal-derived sources (e.g., milk and aquatic birds). Markers of grape (or wine), herbs, and rhizomes, endemic of Mediterranean latitudes and the East, provide insight into the subsistence of this colony, in terms of foodstuffs and phytotherapeutic products. The application of resins and wood of Gymnosperms for social and cultural purposes is hypothesized through the identification of Pinaceae secondary metabolites and pollen grains. The information hidden in dental calculus discloses the strong human-plant interaction in Motya’s Phoenician community, in terms of cultural traditions and land use.

中文翻译：

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调查在Motya的腓尼基居民的牙齿微积分中植入的植物微残余物（意大利西西里岛）

植物记录揭示了有关过去环境和人类文化的非凡证据。利用牙结石分析技术，并结合使用显微镜和气相色谱质谱联用技术，我们的研究概述了Motya古代社区（西西里岛，西西里，公元前八至六世纪）的饮食生态学和植物药理实践，该社区是该地区最重要的腓尼基人定居点之一地中海盆地。微量残留物建议使用或食用小麦，谷物和动物源性来源（例如，牛奶和水禽）。葡萄（或葡萄酒），药草和根茎的标记，是地中海纬度和东方地区的特有种，可以用食品和植物治疗产品来了解该殖民地的生存。通过鉴定松科次生代谢产物和花粉粒，推测了裸子植物树脂和木材在社会和文化上的应用。牙结石中隐藏的信息揭示了Motya腓尼基人社区在文化传统和土地利用方面的强大的人机交互作用。