At this time of year, many of us find our thoughts focused on food. We prepare special foods to celebrate the holidays, we think about foods that have been part of our family traditions for generations, and we even sometimes make special foods to give as gifts. Far beyond the biological need to sustain life, food and dining were also important features of the ancient cultures that lived around the Mediterranean. Foods—or images of food—were employed as economic tools, as religious devices, and as social mechanisms. In this tour, we will look at artifacts that demonstrate the variety of ways that food was used in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

This event is free and open to all visitors. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessing this event, please visit our accessibility page at https://myumi.ch/zwPkd or contact the education office by calling (734) 647-4167. We ask for advance notice as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.