Chromatographic analysis of honey ceramic artefacts

Abstract

Honey was the main sweetening agent in the ancient world; it is mentioned in literary sources and archaeologically documented all over the Mediterranean basin. Its production extended throughout different parts of the Roman Empire, with important economic impacts on family economies, both as a foodstuff and as a commercial product. This paper focuses on the chromatographic analysis of Roman Iberian honeypots and ceramic beehives, identifying tracer characteristics from ancient honey in sherds from seven honeypots and three beehives. The obtained results present an important contribution to the knowledge of the local Roman Iberian economy, particularly relating to the production, transport and trade of honey in locally manufactured ceramic containers.