Food Through History

Every scene here is a reconstruction — a moment in the story of food rebuilt from archaeology, written records and food science, and dated as closely as the evidence allows. Informed visualizations of the past, not photographs of it.

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Shah Jahan’s Peacock-Throne Court FeastShah Jahan’s Peacock-Throne Court FeastShang Royal Ancestor Feast at AnyangShang Royal Ancestor Feast at AnyangShang Royal AnyangShang Royal AnyangShanghai’s Socialist CanteensShanghai’s Socialist CanteensShanghai’s Treaty-Port FoodsShanghai’s Treaty-Port FoodsShanidar NeanderthalsShanidar NeanderthalsSheep Enter the Human Food EconomySheep Enter the Human Food EconomyShimao Ritual Beer FeastShimao Ritual Beer FeastShimao Stone CityShimao Stone CityShrimp Disease Exposes Aquaculture VulnerabilityShrimp Disease Exposes Aquaculture VulnerabilityShubayqa’s Desert ForagersShubayqa’s Desert ForagersSichuan Brine Wells Industrialize SaltSichuan Brine Wells Industrialize SaltSiege of Leningrad StarvationSiege of Leningrad StarvationSima de los Huesos CommunitySima de los Huesos CommunitySkara Brae Island VillageSkara Brae Island VillageSocrates' Last Gathering and the Cup of HemlockSocrates' Last Gathering and the Cup of HemlockSohgaura Famine-Relief ProvisionSohgaura Famine-Relief ProvisionSomalia FamineSomalia FamineSong Court New-Year Feast at KaifengSong Court New-Year Feast at KaifengSong Kaifeng Night MarketsSong Kaifeng Night MarketsSouth Sudan Famine DeclarationSouth Sudan Famine DeclarationSouth Sudan Famine-Likely ConditionsSouth Sudan Famine-Likely ConditionsSouthern Bluefin Tuna Ranching Scales UpSouthern Bluefin Tuna Ranching Scales UpSouthern Corn Leaf Blight Strikes U.S. MaizeSouthern Corn Leaf Blight Strikes U.S. MaizeSouthern Song Imperial Banquet at HangzhouSouthern Song Imperial Banquet at HangzhouSoviet Communal Food in MoscowSoviet Communal Food in MoscowSoviet Famine beyond UkraineSoviet Famine beyond UkraineSoviet Kazakh FamineSoviet Kazakh FamineSpanish Viceregal Entry Feast in Mexico CitySpanish Viceregal Entry Feast in Mexico CitySparta’s Plain FareSparta’s Plain FareSpirit Cave’s Great Basin ForagersSpirit Cave’s Great Basin ForagersSpy NeanderthalsSpy NeanderthalsSri Lankan Tank Irrigation NetworksSri Lankan Tank Irrigation NetworksSt. Augustine’s Spanish TableSt. Augustine’s Spanish TableSt. Lawrence Island FamineSt. Lawrence Island FamineStar Carr Wetland HuntersStar Carr Wetland HuntersSteam Traction Engines Bring Industrial Power to FarmsSteam Traction Engines Bring Industrial Power to FarmsSteam Trawlers Industrialize Marine FishingSteam Trawlers Industrialize Marine FishingStonehenge Avenue Gathering FeastStonehenge Avenue Gathering FeastStonehenge Builders at Durrington WallsStonehenge Builders at Durrington WallsSudan Famine in El Fasher and KadugliSudan Famine in El Fasher and KadugliSudan Famine in Zamzam CampSudan Famine in Zamzam CampSudan Famine of 1984–1985Sudan Famine of 1984–1985Sugar BarbadosSugar BarbadosSugar Overtakes Honey as Europe’s Dominant SweetenerSugar Overtakes Honey as Europe’s Dominant SweetenerSüleyman’s 1530 Circumcision FestivalSüleyman’s 1530 Circumcision FestivalSundiata's Victory Feast at Kirina, MaliSundiata's Victory Feast at Kirina, MaliSvalbard Global Seed Vault OpensSvalbard Global Seed Vault OpensSwahili Coast Feast at Manda Island, KenyaSwahili Coast Feast at Manda Island, KenyaSweet Orange Arrives by Portuguese Sea RoutesSweet Orange Arrives by Portuguese Sea RoutesSweet Potato Reaches ChinaSweet Potato Reaches ChinaSweet Potatoes in FujianSweet Potatoes in FujianSynthetic Pesticides Become a Pillar of High-Yield FarmingSynthetic Pesticides Become a Pillar of High-Yield FarmingTabun Cave’s Long RecordTabun Cave’s Long RecordTam Pà Ling in Mainland Southeast AsiaTam Pà Ling in Mainland Southeast AsiaTambora-Year Famine in EuropeTambora-Year Famine in EuropeTang Chang’an’s Cosmopolitan FoodTang Chang’an’s Cosmopolitan FoodTaosi and Early Urban ChinaTaosi and Early Urban ChinaTaverns Anchor Medieval Urban EatingTaverns Anchor Medieval Urban EatingTāwhiao’s Early Kingitanga FeastTāwhiao’s Early Kingitanga Feast