Technology

Almost nothing in a kitchen was always there. The quern, the pot that survives a fire, the tin can, the cold chain — each arrived on a date, and each changed what a meal could be. Every scene here sets an invention back in the moment it was new, with the tools, materials and workspaces reconstructed from archaeology and the technical record.

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Machu Picchu’s Inca ProvisioningMachu Picchu’s Inca ProvisioningMaya Tikal’s Urban RainforestMaya Tikal’s Urban RainforestMechanical Harvesting Becomes a CombineMechanical Harvesting Becomes a CombineMechanical Milking Moves Dairy toward Industrial ScaleMechanical Milking Moves Dairy toward Industrial ScaleMesoamerican Chinampa AgricultureMesoamerican Chinampa AgricultureMesopotamian Canal Irrigation Expands Cereal FarmingMesopotamian Canal Irrigation Expands Cereal FarmingMicrowave Cooking Becomes a Household TechnologyMicrowave Cooking Becomes a Household TechnologyMigratory Pollination Becomes an Agricultural IndustryMigratory Pollination Becomes an Agricultural IndustryMilitary Canning Expands under NapoleonMilitary Canning Expands under NapoleonMonastic Kitchens Organize Institutional FeedingMonastic Kitchens Organize Institutional FeedingMonosodium Glutamate Is CommercializedMonosodium Glutamate Is CommercializedMovable-Frame Beehive Transforms ApicultureMovable-Frame Beehive Transforms ApicultureMunicipal Food-Waste Collection BeginsMunicipal Food-Waste Collection BeginsMyPlate Replaces the Food PyramidMyPlate Replaces the Food PyramidNailed Horseshoes Extend Equine Farm WorkNailed Horseshoes Extend Equine Farm WorkNanzhuangtou Pottery and PlantsNanzhuangtou Pottery and PlantsNara Temple Sake Guilds Dominate Japan's BrewingNara Temple Sake Guilds Dominate Japan's BrewingNarezushi: Fermented Fish as Tax and DelicacyNarezushi: Fermented Fish as Tax and DelicacyNatufians of EynanNatufians of EynanNauru’s Rapid Nutrition TransitionNauru’s Rapid Nutrition TransitionNazca Desert FarmersNazca Desert FarmersNeolithic Britain’s Milk PotsNeolithic Britain’s Milk PotsNicolas Appert and Canned FoodNicolas Appert and Canned FoodNutrition Facts Labels Become MandatoryNutrition Facts Labels Become MandatoryNutrition Labels Become Mandatory in the United StatesNutrition Labels Become Mandatory in the United StatesNyayanga ButchersNyayanga ButchersOnline Grocery Ordering Enters the HomeOnline Grocery Ordering Enters the HomeOyster Farming Industrializes in FranceOyster Farming Industrializes in FrancePale Ale Brewing Expands at Burton-on-TrentPale Ale Brewing Expands at Burton-on-TrentPasteur Patents Wine PreservationPasteur Patents Wine PreservationPeanuts Cross the Atlantic to AfricaPeanuts Cross the Atlantic to AfricaPeiligang Millet FarmersPeiligang Millet FarmersPersepolis Banquet EconomyPersepolis Banquet EconomyPersian Qanats Carry Water UndergroundPersian Qanats Carry Water UndergroundPET Bottles Globalize Single-Serve BeveragesPET Bottles Globalize Single-Serve BeveragesPhylloxera Devastates European VineyardsPhylloxera Devastates European VineyardsPigs Are Domesticated in AnatoliaPigs Are Domesticated in AnatoliaPinnacle Point Coastal ForagersPinnacle Point Coastal ForagersPlastic Cling Film Enters Household KitchensPlastic Cling Film Enters Household KitchensPlatform Meal Delivery GlobalizesPlatform Meal Delivery GlobalizesPorcelain Tableware Transforms Elite DiningPorcelain Tableware Transforms Elite DiningPortuguese Missionaries Introduce Tempura and CastellaPortuguese Missionaries Introduce Tempura and CastellaPostwar London and RationingPostwar London and RationingPottery Makes Boiling RoutinePottery Makes Boiling RoutinePredynastic HierakonpolisPredynastic HierakonpolisProtein Is Named as a Fundamental NutrientProtein Is Named as a Fundamental NutrientQuick-Freezing Creates the Modern Frozen FoodQuick-Freezing Creates the Modern Frozen FoodRaised-Field Farming around Lake TiticacaRaised-Field Farming around Lake TiticacaRapa Nui Before European ContactRapa Nui Before European ContactReady-to-Use Therapeutic Food Transforms Famine TreatmentReady-to-Use Therapeutic Food Transforms Famine TreatmentRefrigerated Railcars Create Continental Food MarketsRefrigerated Railcars Create Continental Food MarketsRefrigerated Railcars Move Fresh Food InlandRefrigerated Railcars Move Fresh Food InlandRefrigeration Replaces Salting in Urban Meat SupplyRefrigeration Replaces Salting in Urban Meat SupplyReindeer Pastoralism Develops in Northern EurasiaReindeer Pastoralism Develops in Northern EurasiaRoman Glass Bottles Expand Liquid StorageRoman Glass Bottles Expand Liquid StorageRoman Thermopolia Serve Urban Fast FoodRoman Thermopolia Serve Urban Fast FoodSaccharin Is DiscoveredSaccharin Is DiscoveredSelective Livestock Breeding Becomes SystematicSelective Livestock Breeding Becomes SystematicShanidar NeanderthalsShanidar NeanderthalsSheep Enter the Human Food EconomySheep Enter the Human Food Economy