Diet, economy, and culinary practices at the height of precolonial Swahili urbanism

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dc.citation.articleNumber101406en_US
dc.citation.journalTitleJournal of Anthropological Archaeologyen_US
dc.citation.volumeNumber66en_US
dc.contributor.authorQuintana Morales, Eréndira M.en_US
dc.contributor.authorCraig, Oliver E.en_US
dc.contributor.authorPrendergast, Mary E.en_US
dc.contributor.authorWalshaw, Sarahen_US
dc.contributor.authorCartaciano, Christinaen_US
dc.contributor.authorMwebi, Ogetoen_US
dc.contributor.authorNguta, Estheren_US
dc.contributor.authorOnduso, Veronicahen_US
dc.contributor.authorFleisher, Jeffreyen_US
dc.contributor.authorWynne-Jones, Stephanieen_US
dc.date.accessioned2022-04-15T14:45:17Zen_US
dc.date.available2022-04-15T14:45:17Zen_US
dc.date.issued2022en_US
dc.description.abstractSwahili cuisine is known across Africa and globally as a highly distinctive product of a cosmopolitan, coastal, urban society. Here we present a comprehensive study of precolonial Swahili diet and culinary practices at the coastal town of Songo Mnara, positioning archaeological and ethnographic understandings of cuisine in a long-term coastal tradition. We explore contemporary food cultures and then present the first direct evidence for precolonial cuisine by combining ceramic lipid residue analysis with archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological, and faunal and human stable isotopic data. Integrating these datasets produces a detailed picture of diet at the site of Songo Mnara during the peak of precolonial Swahili urbanism. Lipid residue analysis demonstrates how plant and animal products were consumed and valued in ways not discernible from plant and animal remains alone. We also note special treatment for particular foodstuffs, including an association of fish consumption with high-status spaces and vessels, and preferential management of cattle for milk. A more complex picture of urban life emerges, recognizing influences of taste, class, and culture. Our findings demonstrate the potential of multi-layered anthropological studies for exploring cuisine and urban life in coastal contexts across the globe.en_US
dc.identifier.citationQuintana Morales, Eréndira M., Craig, Oliver E., Prendergast, Mary E., et al.. "Diet, economy, and culinary practices at the height of precolonial Swahili urbanism." <i>Journal of Anthropological Archaeology,</i> 66, (2022) Elsevier: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2022.101406.en_US
dc.identifier.digital1-s2-0-S0278416522000149-mainen_US
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2022.101406en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/112070en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherElsevieren_US
dc.rightsThis is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND licenseen_US
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/en_US
dc.titleDiet, economy, and culinary practices at the height of precolonial Swahili urbanismen_US
dc.typeJournal articleen_US
dc.type.dcmiTexten_US
dc.type.publicationpublisher versionen_US
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