Includes bibliographical references and index.

List of abbreviations -- List of figures -- List of plates -- List of maps -- Acknowledgements -- Foreword -- Pt. I. Prehistory. Ch. 1. Lower and middle paleolithic periods ; Ch. 2. Upper paleolithic and neolithic periods ; Summary and conclusions to Part One -- Pt. II. Egypt and the Near East. Ch. 3. Egypt I ; Ch. 4. Egypt II ; Ch. 5. The ancient Near East ; Summary and conclusions to Part Two -- Pt. III. Mediterranean civilizations. Ch. 6. The Greek world: bronze age through the Hellenistic period ; Ch. 7. Rome I ; Ch. 8. Rome II ; Summary and conclusions to Part Three -- Select bibliography -- Index -- Plates.

Employing a wide variety of sources, this book discusses innovations in food processing and preservation from the Palaeolithic period through the late Roman Empire. All through the ages, there has been the need to acquire and maintain a consistent food supply leading to the invention of tools and new technologies to process certain plant and animal foods into different and more usable forms. This handbook presents the results of the most recent investigations, identifies controversies, and points to areas needing further work. It is the first book to focus specifically on ancient food technology, and to discuss the integral role it played in the political, economic, and social fabric of ancient society. Fully documented and lavishly illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings, it will appeal to students and scholars of both the arts and the sciences.

Description based on print version record.