What is Experimental Archaeology Cooking?
Experimental archaeology cooking is more than just historical cosplay; it's a rigorous research method for understanding past cultures through their foodways. By meticulously replicating ancient recipes, ingredients, and cooking techniques using period-appropriate tools, researchers gain tangible insights into resource availability, technological capabilities, and the daily sensory experiences of people in bygone eras. This hands-on approach allows us to test hypotheses about ancient diets, food processing efficiency, and even social dynamics related to food preparation and consumption.
The Foundation: Accurate Research
Before grinding a single grain, comprehensive research is essential. Dive into archaeological reports detailing food remains (like seeds, bones, or residue analysis on pottery), consult historical texts describing meals or ingredients (while being mindful of potential biases), and review ethnographic studies of traditional food practices that might echo ancient methods. Look for specific evidence regarding available flora and fauna, common cooking methods (roasting, boiling, baking), and the forms and materials of cookware and tools discovered.
Replicating Ancient Tools and Techniques
Your modern kitchen gear likely won't suffice. A core part of the experimental process involves sourcing or crafting replicas of ancient tools. This could mean using unglazed clay pots, grinding grains with a stone quern or mortar and pestle, employing wooden utensils, or even building a replica earth oven or hearth. The material properties are critical: a thin stainless-steel pot transfers heat very differently than a thick earthenware vessel, fundamentally changing how food cooks.
- Consider the heat source: Was it an open wood fire, charcoal embers, or perhaps dried dung? Fuel type drastically affects temperature control and imparts distinct flavors.
- Replicate pottery using traditional methods if feasible. Clay composition, thickness, and firing techniques significantly influence thermal properties.
- Experiment with period-appropriate food processing: How long does it take to hand-grind enough flour for bread? How effective is a flint knife for butchering?
Sourcing Authentic Ingredients
Finding historically accurate ingredients is often challenging but vital for meaningful results. This may involve tracking down heirloom or ancient varieties of grains (like einkorn or emmer wheat), sourcing specific breeds of animals, or using only vegetables and fruits known to exist in the target region and period. Sometimes, exact ingredients are lost to time; in such cases, researchers must identify the closest possible 'proxy' based on botanical or faunal evidence, carefully documenting this substitution.
Example Experiment: Recreating Roman Puls
Puls, a simple grain porridge, was a foundational food in ancient Rome. Here’s a basic experimental approach:
- Research & Sourcing: Identify the common grains used for puls in the specific Roman period/region (e.g., emmer wheat, barley, farro). Source coarsely ground, ideally stone-ground, grain. Procure a replica Roman-style earthenware cooking pot.
- Preparation: Combine 1 part grain with approximately 3-4 parts water in the clay pot. Add a pinch of salt (a common seasoning).
- Cooking: Place the pot over controlled embers or a low fire approximating ancient hearth conditions. Note the time.
- Observation & Execution: Bring to a slow simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking and burning. Record observations about thickening time, water absorption, and ease of stirring.
- Completion: Cook until the grain is tender and the mixture achieves a thick porridge consistency (likely 45-75 minutes, depending on grain and heat). Note the final time and yield.
- Analysis: Taste the basic puls. Consider documented variations: experiment with adding historically attested ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, simple herbs (like savory or thyme), cheese, or vegetables.
Documenting Your Culinary Experiment
Like any scientific endeavor, meticulous documentation is paramount. Treat your process like a lab experiment. Record everything: research sources, ingredient specifics (variety, grind size, origin), tool replicas used, environmental conditions (weather, if cooking outdoors), heat source details, exact measurements, cooking times, temperatures (if measurable), observed phenomena (smell, texture changes, sticking), and sensory evaluations (taste, final texture). Use photos and videos to visually capture the process and results. Sharing detailed findings allows others to replicate, verify, or build upon your work.