Archaeological study reveals diet of Islamic-era Almería residents

An international team of archaeobotanists has analyzed plant remains from latrines, cesspits, and sewage systems across five sites in southern Spain to reconstruct the diet of inhabitants 900 years ago.

The study found the highest volume and variety of plant remains in the Andalusi neighborhood of Almería, specifically within a residential area dating to the Taifa and Almoravid periods. Researchers identified 53,286 plant remains across 45 taxa, including 25 cultivated species.

Findings include seeds and fruits such as figs, strawberries, grapes, olives, apples, pomegranates, blackberries, cherries, chickpeas, melons, cucumbers, and carrots. Notable discoveries include an abundance of fennel and the presence of capers, which are linked to long-standing Mediterranean culinary traditions in al-Andalus. These archaeological findings allow researchers to cross-reference medieval agricultural texts with actual consumption patterns from the period.