Posted on 10/08/2024 1:42:35 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
A study on earthen pots from more than 4,000 years ago sheds new light on dietary habits and cooking techniques during the Harappan era. It was conducted by a team of researchers... They examined residues discovered in black and red pottery from Surkotada, a Harappan site in Gujarat's Kutch district that was occupied for approximately 400 years...
The analysis of lipid residues (fatty compounds) indicated that during the early stages of the settlement, the inhabitants most probably employed both boiling and frying techniques to prepare their food... the team discovered skeletal remains outside the fortified region of the Harappan-era settlement. The skeleton was found in a fetal position, and it is thought that the burial might have occurred during an earlier phase of the town's existence. Near the skeleton, six bowls of large black and red ware were found — four near the head and two near the knee. These six bowls underwent lipid residue analysis...
The initial hypothesis suggests that the pots contained plant-based food and marine food, such as shellfish.
Previous archaeological studies conducted in Gujarat have provided a rich picture of the diet and culinary practices of the Harappans — they had different pots for storage and cooking and their diet comprised both plant-based and animalbased diet.
According to another paper, presented at the conference by G S Abhayan, remains of 21 distinct fish species belonging to 13 different families were discovered at various Harappan-era archaeological sites in Gujarat, including Bagasra, Kanmer, Shikarpur, Navinal and Kotada Bhadli. Abhayan noted that the presence of fish remains at several inland sites suggests the existence of a well-organised transportation system for this perishable food item. The diet of the Harappan people included both marine and freshwater fish species, he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesofindia.indiatimes.com ...
This reminds me of the time a study group came from Berkeley out to the desert Southwest. They came to see what kind of plants they ground up because they were convinced they were mostly vegetarians and used their Matate grinding stones for grinding seeds and such. They found very little plant residue on the Matates, it was mostly all Mice, Rats, Ground Squirrels and Lizards that they were grinding to a paste. lol
Well, all of them require techniques, vessels, materials, etc. It’s interesting to know what people developed and utilized at different times, at what point they began using them, etc.
IOW, you have no interest in the topic.
Mmmm, lizard paste...
It’s probably pretty good, if it’s all you’ve got; and people around the world are raised on really weird stuff. What you were weaned on probably remains ‘food’ to you.
(Some people here on FR seem to promote alligator, after all...)
Lol, Yeah, I guess if you HAVE to eat it that is probably the best way. Grind it, make cakes, and cook them on a hot rock. I could see grinding it with a little sage or other flavors to help.
“It’s probably pretty good, if it’s all you’ve got.”
Yeah that is the thing, the rodents were pretty much available year round when other game and plants were not too plentiful during certain seasons. :)
Well, it would make a nice sandwich spread, like Underwood Deviled Ham...
Hey! That deviled ham is pretty good - but you can make it better and a lot cheaper at home, with leftover ham.
(Their chicken spread, though: not that great...)
Only if they were poachers..............
lol, Cooked somehow, not sure I would eat it raw.
That is good... lol :)
I bet that hurt!..............
LOL
No curry recipes?......................
Can you boil water in a skin bag over a fire? Seems counterintuitive. You’d expect the flame to burn a hole in the skin. But maybe not, since the liquid inside would be cooling the skin, keeping it near 212 degrees, at least the inner layer. That would be a cool demonstration to see.
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