Food
Ancient food, ingredients, dining, diet, and recipes.
Caesar Salad
A Caesar salad is a modern dish.
A Caesar salad is a modern dish.
Vanilla - The Origins of Vanilla
"...Vanilla is a New World cultivar, and that it was likely first cultivated by the Maya beginning at least in the 14th century AD. Recent genetic studies have identified the progenitors of V. tahitensis as Vanilla planifolia and V. odorata, both plants tended by the Maya."
"...Vanilla is a New World cultivar, and that it was likely first cultivated by the Maya beginning at least in the 14th century AD. Recent genetic studies have identified the progenitors of V. tahitensis as Vanilla planifolia and V. odorata, both plants tended by the Maya."
Sweet Potato - Domestication and Spread of the Sweet Potato
The oldest sweet potato discovered to date was in the Tres Ventanas cave in the Chilca Canyon region of Peru, c. 8000 B.C., according to Kris Hirst.
The oldest sweet potato discovered to date was in the Tres Ventanas cave in the Chilca Canyon region of Peru, c. 8000 B.C., according to Kris Hirst.
Maize - The Domestication of Maize
From Archaeology @ about.com. Scholars agree maize was derived from the plant teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) in central America perhaps as early as 7,500 years ago.
From Archaeology @ about.com. Scholars agree maize was derived from the plant teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) in central America perhaps as early as 7,500 years ago.
Ancient Pasta
There is a chance that pasta was present in Italy before Marco Polo introduced it from China.
There is a chance that pasta was present in Italy before Marco Polo introduced it from China.
Carrots
Back in the early days of carrots, they came in red, purple, black, yellow and white. Thought to be originally from Afghanistan 3000 years ago, they spread west and east. In the Mediterranean, their shape was thought to denote power as a love philtre.
Back in the early days of carrots, they came in red, purple, black, yellow and white. Thought to be originally from Afghanistan 3000 years ago, they spread west and east. In the Mediterranean, their shape was thought to denote power as a love philtre.
Ancient Use for Olive Oil
According to an Ansa article, Olive Oil Fed 2000 B.C. Foundries, the earliest foundries were fueled not with charcoal, but with olive oil. The article says archaeologists believe this use of the oil preceded the recognition that olive oil was good for food.
According to an Ansa article, Olive Oil Fed 2000 B.C. Foundries, the earliest foundries were fueled not with charcoal, but with olive oil. The article says archaeologists believe this use of the oil preceded the recognition that olive oil was good for food.
Wheat
The evolution of wheat involves an unusual process of crossbreeding.
The evolution of wheat involves an unusual process of crossbreeding.
Ancient Foods - Modern Foods to Avoid When Writing Historical Fiction
A look at which foods to avoid when trying to write authentic historical fiction.
A look at which foods to avoid when trying to write authentic historical fiction.
The Earliest Domesticated Goats
Archaeology Guide Kris Hirst looks into the origin of the domesticated goat, capra hircus. She says neolithic farmers in the Near East in Iran and Turkey began domesticating them 10,000-11,000 years ago.
Archaeology Guide Kris Hirst looks into the origin of the domesticated goat, capra hircus. She says neolithic farmers in the Near East in Iran and Turkey began domesticating them 10,000-11,000 years ago.
Horse and Mule in Ancient Life - Why Mules Were More Popular
A look at horses and mules in ancient life. A comparison of the value of horses and mules for tasks in daily life in the ancient Mediterranean. Also Ancient / Classical History Forum notes on breeding horses and mules.
A look at horses and mules in ancient life. A comparison of the value of horses and mules for tasks in daily life in the ancient Mediterranean. Also Ancient / Classical History Forum notes on breeding horses and mules.
R.W. Davies and "The Roman Military Diet"
We've been led to think that ancient Romans were mainly vegetarian and that when the legions came into contact with the European barbarians they had trouble stomaching the meat-rich food. Maybe this is too simplistic.
We've been led to think that ancient Romans were mainly vegetarian and that when the legions came into contact with the European barbarians they had trouble stomaching the meat-rich food. Maybe this is too simplistic.
Ancient Mexican Maize Varieties
"Maize was first domesticated in the highlands of Mexico about 10,000 years ago and is ... a member of the grass family, which also hosts the world's other major crops including rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, and sugar cane. As early agriculturalists selected plants with desirable traits, they were also selecting genes important for transforming a wild grass into a food plant."
"Maize was first domesticated in the highlands of Mexico about 10,000 years ago and is ... a member of the grass family, which also hosts the world's other major crops including rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, and sugar cane. As early agriculturalists selected plants with desirable traits, they were also selecting genes important for transforming a wild grass into a food plant."
Meals, Food and Table Fellowship in the New Testament
Reader's Guide to Meals, Food and Table Fellowship in the New Testament compares the Judaeans with the Greeks and Romans and describes many aspects of Jewish meals.
Reader's Guide to Meals, Food and Table Fellowship in the New Testament compares the Judaeans with the Greeks and Romans and describes many aspects of Jewish meals.
Moretum Appendix Vergiliana - Salad
From grinding grain to making flat cakes to accompany cheese and sorrel, this Vergilian poem describes the round of food producing duties of a poor man. English translation.
From grinding grain to making flat cakes to accompany cheese and sorrel, this Vergilian poem describes the round of food producing duties of a poor man. English translation.
On Regimen in Acute Diseases
By Hippocrates. Discusses the effects of change from normal dietary patterns.
By Hippocrates. Discusses the effects of change from normal dietary patterns.
Silphion
Herb so popular in antiquity it has been extinct since the first century. This page deals mainly with its use as a flavoring agent, but it was also used medicinally, in contraception.
Herb so popular in antiquity it has been extinct since the first century. This page deals mainly with its use as a flavoring agent, but it was also used medicinally, in contraception.
Food in Antiquity, CLASS 220, U. of Saskatchewan
List of terms related to ancient food, especially Roman.
List of terms related to ancient food, especially Roman.
A Taste of the Ancient World
Images of utensils and objects with food motifs, many from Karanis, Egypt where an expedition in 1924-35 took unusual interest in the daily life of an ancient farming town.
Images of utensils and objects with food motifs, many from Karanis, Egypt where an expedition in 1924-35 took unusual interest in the daily life of an ancient farming town.
What Kind of Food?
Pottery depicting Ancient Athenian butcher and another picture of a scene from an ancient fish market. Also information on fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products in ancient Greece and Rome.
Pottery depicting Ancient Athenian butcher and another picture of a scene from an ancient fish market. Also information on fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products in ancient Greece and Rome.
History of Bread
Ancient Bread Timeline from the Federation of Bakers.
Ancient Bread Timeline from the Federation of Bakers.