FOOD AND FEASTING, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The study of food is a perspective, an approach, a constellation of questions about the past, and thus a way of approaching the archaeological past. It is not that food does not inspire intellectual thought; it does. Food makes researchers think broadly and deeply about social life. Food production, preparation, storage, serving, and consumption play a part in the creation and recreation of cultures, nations, groups, families, individuals, genders, and personal identities. Food is also material, allowing us access to many aspects of past human society. While we require food, we impose categories upon our food ingredients, making some potential food items unacceptable for consumption and others acceptable, based on a range of emotional, historical, social, economic, and political decisions. The study of food is an important approach to our study of the past.