Penn Museum

Ancient food and flavor

Food remains dating back as far as 6,000 years found at archaeological sites are now on view in a new indoor-outdoor exhibition at the Penn Museum, “Ancient Food & Flavor,” through the fall of 2024. 

Louisa Shepard



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In the News


Philadelphia Business Journal

Penn Museum to start work on $54M Ancient Egypt and Nubia galleries project, the largest renovation in its history

The Penn Museum plans to begin renovation on its $54 million Ancient Egypt and Nubia galleries this fall, with remarks from Christopher Woods.

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USA Today

Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Here’s how it affects your body.

A collaborative study including researchers with the Penn Museum is referenced, in which the earliest trace of alcohol residue was found in pottery from 7000–6600 BC. The pottery was from Jiahu, which was a Neolithic village in China.

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WHYY (Philadelphia)

Penn Museum shows what ancient worlds tasted like

Katherine Moore of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses the Penn Museum’s new “Ancient Food and Flavor” exhibition, which focuses on three archaeological sites that provided unusual amounts of food artifacts.

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The New York Times

Glace brings French ice cream and gluten-free cones to the Upper East Side

The Penn Museum is inaugurating an indoor and outdoor exhibit about food and drink that will provide a better understanding of ancient civilizations and their habits.

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The Washington Post

Ancient Mayan ballgame marker unearthed at Chichén Itzá

Simon Martin of the Penn Museum and the School of Arts & Sciences says that a newly discovered Mayan stone marker at Chichén Itzá is more akin to a field marker for scoring points than a scoreboard.

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Associated Press

Ancient restaurant highlights Iraq’s archaeology renaissance

An international archaeological mission led by a Penn team has uncovered the remnants of what is believed to be a 5,000-year-old restaurant or tavern in the ancient city of Lagash in southern Iraq.

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