2000-year-old fig discovered by Irish archaeologists in Dublin

Archaeologists in Dublin have unearthed the charred fragments of a 2000-year-old fig, the earliest evidence of exotic fruits on the island and an indication of Ireland's participation in an ancient international food trade.

The fig was discovered during an archaeological excavation at a headland in Drumanagh, where an important trading post with the Roman Empire was located. 

The fig survived because it was burnt, which aided its preservation, according to a press release from the University College Dublin.

Scientists from the university say the large, charred fruit fragment points to evidence of a food trade between the ancient Roman Empire and Ireland.

“Fig seeds dating to as far back as the 13th century have been recovered from excavations of medieval Dublin, Cork and other towns,” said Associate Professor Meriel McClatchie, Director of the UCD Ancient Foods research group at UCD School of Archaeology.

“An actual fruit has never been found in Ireland until now, but what is most important about the Drumanagh fig is its antiquity. It is without parallel in Ireland and is by far the oldest example of an exotic fruit found here.”

The charred fig from the Drumanagh excavation. This image was taken at a Historic England laboratory using an AHRC-funded Keyence VHX7000 3-D digital microscope at x 30 magnification. Credit: Historic England/University College Dublin

During the height of its power, the Roman Empire ruled much of Europe, and parts of Western Asia and North Africa. However, its power did not extend into Ireland.

The establishment of extensive trading routes within the Empire allowed Roman cuisine to become widely available, including new herbs and spices, nuts such as almonds, and fruits such as grapes, dates and figs.

Associate Professor McClatchie added that while figs were traded across the Empire, researchers did not know they had made it all the way to Ireland until now.

“Finds of fig elsewhere in northern Europe are thought to reflect imports from southern Europe, and it is likely that this new Irish discovery travelled a similar distance. It’s thrilling to imagine someone enjoying such an exotic food here in Ireland so long ago.”

Analysis by Associate Professor McClatchie at UCD has also revealed the presence of significant quantities of spelt wheat, a cereal that was rare in Ireland's past but was a staple of Roman Britain.

Drumanagh Promontory Fort is located on the coast between Loughshinny and Rush. It is a nationally important archaeological site and is of international significance in terms of Ireland’s relationship with the Roman world.  The site consists of a headland of c.46 acres defended by a series of earthworks-three closely-spaced earthen banks and ditches.

Excavations led by archaeologist Christine Baker and her team have uncovered extensive evidence at at the Drumanagh for craft and domestic activities, including metal and ceramic objects from Roman Spain, Gaul and Britain, as well as objects that reflect locally based activities.

“Our excavations have revealed more of the story of those living and working at Drumanagh,” said Baker.

“We now know there was an importation, not just of goods but of lifestyle. By these windswept cliffs people were consuming spelt bread, olive oil and figs, drinking from glass vessels and fine ceramic cups while wearing brooches and glass beads. The evidence so far points to a connection with Chester/Wirral area of Roman Britain during the first 200 years of the Roman conquest.”

Fingal County Council took ownership of the site in 2016. Building on the Drumanagh Conservation Study and Management Plan 2018– 2023, the Digging Drumanagh project was developed.

The project was designed to fill in knowledge gaps about the site, involve the community and raise awareness of it significance in terms of archaeology, history and ecology. 

The findings from the excavations at Drumanagh, along with the results of the post-excavation analysis to date were shared during Drumanagh Day 2024, a seminar held earlier this month.