Past Events
Between 2013 and 2015, Archeoricette organised and participated in a series of public events across Italy — from guided tastings to academic conferences — bringing ancient culinary traditions to life.
The History of the Funerary Banquet
Kainua Festival, Marzabotto
A conference tracing the funerary banquet from Mesopotamia through the early centuries of the Common Era, presented as part of the Kainua Festival programme.
Book Presentation: Gerusalemme: L'Ultima Cena
Libreria ArcheoBooks, Civico Museo Archeologico di Milano
Presentation of Generoso Urciuoli's book exploring the historical and archaeological context of the Last Supper menu, held at the museum's specialist bookshop.
The archaeological world often finds its most compelling stories at the intersection of history and daily life, and the study of ancient dining is no exception. Exploring what was served at a last supper is not merely an exercise in culinary curiosity but a window into the social, religious, and economic fabric of an entire era. When a book presentation takes place within the walls of a museum dedicated to the ancient world, the setting itself reinforces the idea that food has always been far more than sustenance. It is ritual, it is hospitality, it is identity, and it is a record of how people lived, traded, and believed.
Museums with specialist bookshops offer a uniquely immersive environment for exploring archaeological themes, allowing readers to move from display cases to printed pages in a single visit. A presentation held in such a venue invites attendees to consider how material culture and scholarship inform one another. The conversation that follows a book talk of this nature often drifts beyond the text itself, touching on broader questions of how we reconstruct ancient practices from fragmentary evidence. These gatherings remind us that archaeology is a living discipline, one that thrives on public engagement and thoughtful dialogue between specialists and curious visitors alike.
For those who appreciate inspiring interiors and thoughtful design, there is a parallel between the careful curation of a museum space and the deliberate composition of a modern home. Just as an archaeologist pieces together the story of a place from its artefacts, a designer builds a narrative through material, light, and arrangement. The same attention to context that illuminates a historical meal can inform how we approach contemporary living, from the kitchen table to the living room. This shared language of context and meaning is what makes both archaeology and design endlessly fascinating pursuits.
Events like book presentations serve a vital role in bridging academic research and everyday appreciation, making complex historical questions accessible to a wider audience. Whether one arrives as a devoted scholar or a casual enthusiast, there is something universally appealing about uncovering the human story behind ancient traditions. The intersection of faith, history, and archaeology found in such a topic speaks to a deep and enduring curiosity about where we come from and what our ancestors valued. These conversations keep history alive, ensuring that the past continues to inform, inspire, and shape our understanding of the present.
Book Presentation: Gerusalemme: L'Ultima Cena
Libreria Offline, Rome
A Rome presentation of the book, offering insights into the foods and setting of the Last Supper through the lens of archaeology and food history.
Book Presentation: Gerusalemme: L'Ultima Cena
Libreria Irnerio, Bologna
The Bologna stop on the book tour, hosted by Libreria Irnerio.
Talk at Club di Cultura Classica "Ezio Mancino"
Turin
A lecture presented as part of the conference cycle for the classical culture club, exploring themes from ancient food history.
Guided Tasting: Roman Wedding Banquets
Civico Museo Archeologico di Milano
A guided tasting event exploring the foods and customs of Roman wedding banquets, held at Milan's archaeological museum.
Menu Event: Tra Esodo e Odissea (3500–1000 BC)
Siberiaki, Turin
A themed menu event spanning the culinary world between the Exodus and the Odyssey, from the Late Bronze Age to the early Iron Age.
Menu Event: Tra Esodo e Odissea
Siberiaki, Turin
A second instalment of the themed menu exploring ancient Eastern Mediterranean foodways.
Dagli Assiri ai Liguri: Chickpea Flour Through the Centuries
Focacceria Sant'Agostino
A guided tasting tracing the history of chickpea flour from Assyrian times to Ligurian cuisine. Booking was required; the event cost €15 per person.
Stay Connected
Archeoricette maintained an active presence on social media and welcomed inquiries about events, collaborations, and the exploration of ancient cuisine.
For historical reference, the project could be reached at info@archeoricette.com or by phone at 3403706025 for event bookings. Social channels included Facebook (facebook.com/archeoricette) and Twitter (@archeo_ricette).