Re-interpreting Babylonian Cuisine: An Evening of Archaeology, Clay, and Food
By:
Melissa Barker
Date:
Sat, 18/07/2026 - 18:00 to 20:30
Branch:
Western Cape
Venue: Melissa’s pottery studio, 2a Garden drive, Sunningdale/Bloubergstrand https://maps.app.goo.gl/iLYfaSrmpFxjuTSw7
Charge: R350 per person (max 15 guests can be accommodated)
RSVP: Please click here to reserve your palce using the Google Form
Contact: Please send any queries to Callan at saarchsoc.western@gmail.com
About the Event
Join archaeologist Melissa Barker for an informal evening exploring the Yale Babylonian cooking texts through experimental archaeology. The event focuses on the re-interpretation of the recipe YOS 11 25 (Tuhú Lamb) and the practical challenges of bringing one of the world’s oldest known recipes back to life. Guests will have the opportunity to view a selection of artworks in the gallery before watching two short presentations: Melissa’s ASOR conference presentation and a short film documenting her residency project, including the reconstruction of ancient-style cooking vessels used in the experiment. The evening will include discussion, questions, and observations on the reconstruction process, the meaning of the recurring phrase “Prepare the water and add the fat,” and the role of experimental archaeology in understanding ancient foodways. The event concludes with a tasting of the reconstructed Tuhú Lamb recipe.
Charge: R350 per person (max 15 guests can be accommodated)
RSVP: Please click here to reserve your palce using the Google Form
Contact: Please send any queries to Callan at saarchsoc.western@gmail.com
About the Event
Join archaeologist Melissa Barker for an informal evening exploring the Yale Babylonian cooking texts through experimental archaeology. The event focuses on the re-interpretation of the recipe YOS 11 25 (Tuhú Lamb) and the practical challenges of bringing one of the world’s oldest known recipes back to life. Guests will have the opportunity to view a selection of artworks in the gallery before watching two short presentations: Melissa’s ASOR conference presentation and a short film documenting her residency project, including the reconstruction of ancient-style cooking vessels used in the experiment. The evening will include discussion, questions, and observations on the reconstruction process, the meaning of the recurring phrase “Prepare the water and add the fat,” and the role of experimental archaeology in understanding ancient foodways. The event concludes with a tasting of the reconstructed Tuhú Lamb recipe.
About the Host
Melissa Barker holds a Master’s degree in Archaeology and has a particular interest in ancient food ways, ceramic technology, and experimental archaeology. Her research focuses on the re-interpretation of the Yale Babylonian cooking texts, with special attention to the recipe YOS 11 25 (Tuhú Lamb). Through the reconstruction and use of ancient-style cooking pots and stoves, she investigated the practical realities of Mesopotamian cuisine and the relationship between culinary practice and material culture. Her work has explored the meaning of the recurring instruction, “Prepare the water and add the fat”, a phrase that begins each recipe and the role that the ceramic cooking pots played in this instruction.