SOCS-205: The Archaeology of Food

Archaeologists utilize material culture to understand the lives of past and present human societies, including the ways in which humans decide what and how to eat, and the ways in which those choices impact their societies. Material culture related to food choices can give significant insight into how and when human beings evolved, spread through, and interacted with their environments and each other. The analysis of archaeological foodways reveals both practical strategies for survival and cultural norms and values, while the utilization of experimental archaeology can recreate lost foods and drinks.