Food and Drink preparation at Ebla, Syria. New Data from the Royal Palace G (c.2450–2300 BC)

Ebla was the capital of an important kingdom during the late Early Bronze Age of Inner Syria (c. 2450 2300 BC). Its political and economic relations with other regional centres (such as Mari, Kish and Nagar) and its administration and managing of the territory have been reconstructed thanks to the discovery of the State Archives inside the palace. The excavations carried out by the Italian Archaeological Expedition headed by Paolo Matthiae brought to light, beside the Administrative Quarters with the archives and storerooms for keeping precious objects, wings and sectors devoted to the transformation of primary products (mainly cereals), equipped with benches and installations. Moreover, dozens of vessels, including cooking pots, storage jars and tableware, have been found in their original position at the time of the final destruction. In this paper data shedding light on food preparation will be presented and particular attention is given to a peculiarly large kitchen, in which several hearths were discovered together with cooking pots and vegetal remains. This room cannot be considered a “normal” kitchen for food preparation but a space linked to the Court of Audience, in which the preparation and storage of special beverages took place. Many wild plants were found in the earth samples analyzed, and almost all of them have medicinal properties. It is most likely that these wild seeds were intentionally collected for the preparation of medicinal substances, infusions or drugs. The use of medicinal plants is suggested by a pharmaceutical text from the Ebla archives, but also their consumption during ritual and ceremonial occasions can be argued. The close vicinity of this room to the Court of Audience emphasizes the importance of both the space and the activities that took place there.