A new volume of the series ‘Elements in the Archaeology of Food’, published by the Cambridge University Press is now out and free Open Access for 2 weeks until the 15th of December!
You can download it here
The new title, authored by Prof. Monica Smith, ‘How Urbanism Changes Foodways’ provides an alternative reading of the 6,000-year history of urbanism through food:
Summary:
The advent of urbanism had profound impacts on landscape management, agricultural production, food preservation, and cuisine. This Element examines the 6,000-year history of urbanism through the archaeological perspective of food, using the analysis of cooking and eating vessels, botanical remains, and animal bones along with texts and iconographic evidence to understand the foodways that spurred and accompanied the growth of cities. Human-environmental changes took place as farmers became fewer in number but increasingly essential as providers of food for city-based consumers. The Element also examines the ways in which cities today share patterns of food production and consumption with the first urban settlements, and that we can address questions of sustainability, nutritional improvement, and other desired outcomes by recognizing how the growth of cities has resulted in distinct constraints and opportunities related to food.
This is the second volume in the series, edited by Katheryn C. Twiss (Stony Brook University, NY) and Alexandra Livarda (ICAC/GIAP-CERCA). Elements in the Archaeology of Food showcase the vibrancy and intellectual diversity of twenty-first century archaeological research into food. Volumes reveal how food archaeology not only illuminates ancient political manoeuvres, social networks, risk management strategies, and luxurious pleasures, but also engages with modern heritage management, health, and environmental conservation strategies.
For more information and the upcoming volumes check here
