Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

Researchers have found a 2,000-year-old curry recipe

Ivan PetricevicbyIvan Petricevic
July 25, 2023 - Updated on January 20, 2024
in Ancient Civilizations
On the surface of this footed sandstone grinding slab, researchers have identified ancient starch grains from ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.), and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Credit: Khanh Trung Kien Nguyen.

On the surface of this footed sandstone grinding slab, researchers have identified ancient starch grains from ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.), and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Credit: Khanh Trung Kien Nguyen.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In what is perhaps a rather strange discovery, a group of researchers has found a 2,000-year-old curry recipe.

The diverse, aromatic flavors of curry that spice up our dinner tables trace back centuries, spanning various cultures and continents. Recent research reveals an intriguing history of spice trading, even shedding light on the oldest known curry recipe outside India.

Researchers unearthed evidence suggesting curry-making was prevalent in Southeast Asia about 2,000 years ago, specifically in southern Vietnam’s Oc Eo archaeological site. Eight distinct spices were discovered, some having traversed thousands of kilometers via sea, contributing to a tantalizing ancient curry blend.

 A 2,000-Year-Old Curry Recipe

Originally investigating the ancient spice trade and the use of “pesani” grinding tools, the researchers turned their attention to curry upon discovering the various spices. By analyzing starch grains using microscopic remains from the grinding tools, they unearthed precious insights into historical food processing and spice use.

Related Posts

An artist's Illustration of the pyramids aligning to the stars.

Why did ancient civilizations align monuments with the stars?

August 14, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
A photograph of the Great Pyramid at sunrise. Shutterstock_

Did The Great Pyramid Shine “Like a Star” 4,500 Years Ago?

November 14, 2022 - Updated on January 20, 2024

From the 40 tools analyzed, a dozen revealed traces of various spices, including turmeric, ginger, fingerroot, sand ginger, galangal, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Dating of charcoal and wood samples associated with the site established the Oc Eo complex’s occupation between the 1st and 8th centuries CE.

Bridging the Spice Trade Gap

Previously, the ancient curry evidence was mainly centered around India, while information on the early spice trade came from ancient Indian, Chinese, and Roman documents. This study offers tangible confirmation that spices were globally traded and treasured commodities nearly two millennia ago.

Several spices discovered at Oc Eo required transportation from far-flung regions across the Indian or Pacific Ocean, testifying to curry’s intriguing history beyond India. The laborious preparation process suggests a deep appreciation and desire for curry flavors, even outside of India, around 2,000 years ago.

Time-Tested Tastes

Remarkably, the curry recipe used in contemporary Vietnam shares key components like turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, and coconut milk with the ancient Oc Eo version, a testament to the enduring allure of a well-crafted recipe.

This investigation primarily centered on microscopic plant remains. Further analyses of preserved seeds collected during the excavation could reveal additional spices or unique plant species, enhancing our understanding of the region’s culinary past and potentially shedding more light on the early global spice trade.

PLEASE READ: Have something to add? Visit Curiosmos on Facebook. Join the discussion in our mobile Telegram group. Also, follow us on Google News. Interesting in history, mysteries, and more? Visit Ancient Library’s Telegram group and become part of an exclusive group.

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Ivan Petricevic

Ivan Petricevic

I've been writing passionately about ancient civilizations, history, alien life, and various other subjects for more than eight years. You may have seen me appear on Discovery Channel's What On Earth series, History Channel's Ancient Aliens, and Gaia's Ancient Civilizations among others.

Related Posts

Ancient Stone Mask. Credit: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority.
Ancient Civilizations

Ancient stone masks from 9000 years ago reveal the rituals of early civilization

November 29, 2018 - Updated on April 15, 2025
3000-Year-Old Aqueducts Discovered Using Cold War Satellites
Ancient Civilizations

3000-Year-Old Aqueducts Discovered Using Cold War Satellites

September 21, 2024
Image Credit: Pinterest.
Ancient Civilizations

A Researcher Claims the Bible Proves Atlantis Existed in Isreal

April 13, 2019 - Updated on May 17, 2023
Ancient Mesopotamian Pay Stub dated to around 3000 BC.
Ancient Civilizations

9 Ancient Mesopotamian Inventions and Discoveries We Use Today

September 2, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The magnificent ancient Mayan structures of Uxmal. Credit: Shutterstock
Ancient Civilizations

Little-Known Curiosities About the Ancient Maya

July 11, 2023 - Updated on January 20, 2024
Did lost civilizations before history vanish in a forgotten global disaster? Gobekli Tepe is, by far, the oldest temple in the world and apparently, it is connected to a massive comet impact from around 13,000 years ago.
Ancient Civilizations

Did A Massive Comet Impact Destroy an Advanced Civilization on Earth 13,000 Years Ago?

November 11, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists