Date:

Iron Age people introduced Mediterranean cuisine to Britain!

Iron Age Village Wiki Commons

- Advertisement -

University of Reading experts have found the first evidence that Iron Age people in Britain were spicing up mealtimes with foods and seasoning imported from the Mediterranean region.

Previously, experts believed that prior to the Roman conquest of Britain, only liquids such as olive oil and wine were imported from across the Channel. However archaeologists working at Silchester Roman Town in Hampshire have discovered that people of that time were importing Mediterranean seasoning as well as whole olives themselves.

Last year an olive stone, along with seeds of celery and coriander, were discovered in a Late Iron Age well, all dating to pre AD43. A second well produced a celery seed again dated pre AD 43 and several dill seeds dated to AD 40-50.

Professor Michael Fulford, from the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology, said: “These plant foods were all cultivated in the Mediterranean region and literary evidence shows they were part of Roman cuisine. Whilst the import of olive oil and wine during the Late Iron Age is evidenced at Silchester and elsewhere throughout southern Britain, we were unaware that olive fruits and seasonings were also being imported – until now.

“Topics such as global food trade, food security and self-sufficiency may seem like issues only for the present day, but this unique discovery shows just how sophisticated Britain’s trade in food and global links were, even before the Romans colonised in the first century AD.

“We take these culinary treats for granted but over 2000 years ago trade in these foodstuffs would have been essential, at least for the wealthy tribal aristocracy of Iron Age Britain.  A journey to Britain from the Med would have taken several weeks, either by sea around the coasts of Spain, Portugal and France, or overland through France. This is the first olive from Iron Age Britain!”

- Advertisement -

Other rare Iron Age finds from last year’s dig include the skeleton of a ‘toy’ dog, similar to that of a modern-day poodle. The remains, with an estimated shoulder height of 29cm, were placed to replicate a normal, relaxed resting posture of the animal, possibly showing it was given a formal burial. This indicates there may have been a close connection between pet and owner and suggests the animal was kept not just for practical purposes.

“Very small dogs of this period are very rare finds,” said Professor Fulford. “Only half a dozen or so examples of this period have been recorded across Britain and it may have been bred on the continent and imported to Britain – another luxury like the olive.  The dog was deliberately placed as a votive deposit in the foundations of a large Iron Age house which we are still excavating.”

The finds were made during last year’s excavation of Silchester Roman Town, which the University has been excavating and researching since 1974. The Silchester Field School takes place every summer for six weeks with the 2012 dig just underway. In 2008 Professor Fulford and his team found the first evidence of an Iron Age town in Britain at Silchester.

Professor Fulford added: “The finds from last year were very exciting and we are hoping for more this summer to take forward our rapidly expanding knowledge of Iron Age and earliest Roman Silchester.  The remains we are uncovering this summer span the period between Julius Caesar’s invasions of Britain in 55/54 BC and the immediate aftermath of the Roman conquest of the Emperor Claudius of AD 43/44.  We have come a long way back in time – more than 400 years – since the Insula IX project began in 1997.  One of the big questions we are addressing this summer is the character of the Roman military presence from AD 43/44.”

 

Contributing Source : University of Reading

HeritageDaily : Archaeology News : Archaeology Press Releases

- Advertisement -

Stay Updated: Follow us on iOS, Android, Google News, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and our newsletter

spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is a multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

Aerial photographs indicate an enormous Avar-Era cemetery

An analysis of aerial photographs has led to the discovery of a previously unknown Avar-era cemetery on the outskirts of Tatabánya, Hungary.

Excavations reveal a vast Roman villa complex

Archaeologists from Inrap have revealed a vast Roman villa complex during excavations in Auxerre, France.

Unprecedented Roman discovery in Ireland

Archaeologists have made an unprecedented Roman discovery during excavations at Drumanagh in north Dublin.

Exquisite marble sarcophagus unearthed near Caesarea

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), working on behalf of the Caesarea Development Corporation, have unearthed an exquisitely sculptured marble sarcophagus near the coastal city of Caesarea, Israel.

Viking-Era boat burial uncovered on Senja

Archaeologists have uncovered a Viking-Era boat burial on the island of Senja in northern Norway.

Mystery of the Maka Lahi Rock finally solved

In 2024, researchers from Australia's University of Queensland discovered a giant 1,200-tonne rock more than 200 metres inland on the island of Tongatapu.

Secrets to crafting the Nebra Sky Disc revealed

Using a blend of forensic material analysis with experimental archaeology, researchers have successfully reconstructed the techniques and processes behind crafting the Nebra Sky Disc.

Royal tomb unearthed in Gordion could belong to King Midas’ family

Archaeologists from the Gordion Project have uncovered a Phrygian royal tomb, potentially belonging to a member of King Midas' Family from the 8th century BC.