Research

FoodCult adopts a multiscale interdisciplinary approach to diet and foodways in early modern Ireland. Six core work packages explore various aspects of food production and consumption, developing a framework for the spatial, temporal and thematic analysis of food. Work package seven draws the findings together and analyses them in historical context.

1. Food Microhistories

Approaching diet at the level of individual household and institution, through the analysis of household accounts.

2. Mapping Diet: Comparative Foodways

Collating, recording and mapping food-related archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological and artefactual evidence.

3. Organic Residue Analysis

Scientifically analysing absorbed fats extracted from potsherds to reconstruct past diets and animal management practices.

4. Multi-Isotope Analysis

Applying methods of multi-isotope collagen analysis, to consider individual diets in a range of comparative contexts.

5. Experimental Archaeology: Brewing

Recreating and analysing the components of sixteenth-century beer.

6. Zooarchaeology

Analysing animal bones to understand the contribution of animals to Irish diets in diverse contexts.

7. The Meaning of Food in Early Modern Ireland

Together, work packages 1 to 6 will build a framework for understanding dietary consumption in diverse communities. The final study draws this new research together and explores it within the context of the documentary historical evidence.