A 4,000-Year-Old Tablet Discovered Talking About Ancient Charcuterie Fare

At the ancient ruins of Kültepe in Anatolia, researchers have uncovered a treasure trove of artifacts that shed light on the daily lives of a civilization that flourished 4,000 years ago. Among the most intriguing discoveries are clay tablets that offer a glimpse into an everyday activity that resonates with modern times: the preparation and consumption of packed lunches.

These tablets make specific reference to a type of cheese known as “Kaniş Cheese,” which was a staple in the diet of the region’s inhabitants. The people of Kültepe, located in what is now the central Turkish province of Kayseri, would carry this cheese with them on their travels, ensuring they had a reliable source of nourishment while on the move. This discovery provides a unique insight into the continuity of cultural practices, particularly in relation to food, across millennia.

Kültepe, often referred to as the cradle of Anatolian civilization, was a significant hub for the Hittites, a prominent Anatolian civilization. The city is renowned for its role in the development of written language, with the earliest definitive example of an Indo-European language being discovered in the form of Hittite inscriptions. These inscriptions, found among the 20,000 clay tablets at the site, are a mixture of Hittite, Assyrian, and Akkadian languages, providing a rich tapestry of linguistic history.

Professor Fikri Kulakoğlu, an archaeologist who has been working at the Kültepe site for many years, spoke to Hurriyet Daily about the importance of cheese in the daily lives of the ancient Anatolians. “Four thousand years ago there was a cheese called ‘Kaniş Cheese.’ We read from these tablets that they took this with them,” Kulakoğlu explained to the Daily. “Obviously, whatever is in today’s geography, we see the same products in a similar way 4 thousand years ago.”

Kulakoğlu emphasized that the practice of carrying cheese while traveling was not just a matter of convenience but a necessity for survival in the harsh conditions of the region. The people of Kültepe also took other food items, such as dried and sliced meat, with them on their journeys. “People at that time took boxed, sliced, and dried meat with them on their journeys. Even today, it is similar to preparing a normal sandwich in today’s conditions,” Kulakoğlu added. This statement underscores the remarkable continuity between the ancient practices of the Hittites and the modern culinary traditions in the region.

One such tradition that persists to this day is the preparation of “pastırma,” a type of spiced dry meat that is still commonly carried by travelers in Turkey. This ancient practice, which dates back thousands of years, has survived largely unchanged, illustrating the deep cultural roots that continue to influence daily life in the region.

While the discovery of the Kaniş Cheese tablets is significant, it is not the oldest evidence of cheesemaking in the world. Archaeological findings in Poland suggest that cheese production was already underway in Northern Europe some 6,000 years ago. These early European cheesemakers, who belonged to Neolithic cultures, are believed to have developed the craft as a way to manage lactose intolerance, a hypothesis supported by the discovery of pottery used in cheese production. Despite the earlier origins of cheesemaking in Europe, the Kaniş Cheese tablets offer a unique perspective on the cultural and culinary practices of ancient Anatolia.

The discovery of these tablets at Kültepe highlights the importance of food in understanding the daily lives and cultural continuity of ancient civilizations. The fact that such practices have endured for thousands of years speaks to the resilience and adaptability of human cultures, as well as the timeless appeal of simple, portable foods like cheese and dried meat. As archaeologists continue to unearth more artifacts from Kültepe, we can expect to gain even deeper insights into the lives of the people who once called this ancient city home.