Kelsey Bruinekool

HIST 134 SEC: 112391

Module 3: Nano-Historical Research paper

Cultural History: Hittite Cuisine

The hittites are the oldest known natives to the land of Central Anatolia, now present day

Turkey, and it is our understanding that they may have migrated to the area sometime prior to

2400 BCE. 1400 BCE. This region was known as land of the Hatti from 2350 BCE until 630

BCE, because of the influence of Hattian culture seen in that time period. In 2500 BCE the Hatti

established their capital at the city of Hattusa, administering laws and regulating trade in a

number of neighboring city-states. They spoke a language of their own called Hattic and did not

have a written language, but did have a form of cuneiform (a system of writing) that was used in

trade dealings. Central Anatolia had a mild climate with reliable and regular rainfall that made

agricultural production possible. As the region was heavily forested, the Hatti built their homes

of wood and made their living through trade of timber, ceramics, and other resources they had

during the time. Besides all the timber and stone for construction, Anatolia was rich mines that

produced copper, silver, iron, and gold used in trading. Now we know a little bit about the Hittite

people and where they come from.

One of the most important aspects when looking into the Hittite people is their beliefs

and religion. Their religion actually focused on the worship of a Mother Goddess who ensured

that their crops would grow and their livestock would remain healthy. People in this culture

would keep domesticated animals for the home life and would make blankets and clothing from

sheep's wool. They would utilized the fields and plant grains, which would be what they
primarily lived on, but also gathered food through hunting and fishing in the near rivers. The

main food products that they had available would have been grainy cereals, vegetables, fruits,

nuts, and sometimes wines made from vineyards. Since their religion was based on the concept

that everything in nature was sacred and possessed a divine spirit, they cherished their food and

meals. Meaning hunting for meat was a common practice but was used only for special occasions

or specific festivals involving royalty.

Hittites were newcomers to Anatolia they were forced to settle where they did because,

basically they couldn't find a better place. Most of the Hittite population would largely have

consisted of peasants and farmers. There was sometimes a class of craftsmen especially potters,

cobblers, carpenters and smiths. Not surprising for the time period, the political systems would

control the farming. The fruit trees were known to be abundant and in great variety during this

time. Some other trees or bushes known to grow many fruits like, grape vines, olives,

pomegranates, and apples, were also very common during these times. Vegetables and spices are

often mentioned in food preparation and would include lentils, chickpeas, beans, cucumbers,

leeks, onions, garlic, coriander, bitter garlic, lettuce, and an onion-like plant. Some things still

being used today in everyday meals.

There are only seven syllabically written Hittite terms for cereals, also known as grains

that are presently documented. From remains found it is most likely that several varieties of

wheat and of barley were cultivated. The most common term for wheat was Hittite baltar, and

was commonly known to be bread wheat. The generic term for "cereal" or "grain" was known as

balkiS. Barley was used to make beer, but was also used to make some cooked porridges and

breads for human consumption. However barley was actually mostly used as horse or animal

food. Wheat was mostly used to bake breads, or its flour was sprinkled into cooked dishes, just
as we do today. Some varieties of nuts are mentioned, such as pistachios and almonds. While the

use of sesame or linseed was commonly known for its oil. Its very interesting to hear that we

still use many of the crops that the Hittite people used years ago.

Along with the wild animals like bears, wolves, several types of great cats, and varieties

of deer, wild boar, and gazelles. Bees, birds, fish, and several types of reptiles were also known

to be in the forestry area. Though limited hunting and fishing was done, meats of many kinds of

wild animals were included in the Hittite diet. However most of the time the meat was dried for

later consumption. Animal bones found on Hittite sites show that the most commonly eaten wild

animal was deer. Bones of domesticated animals like sheep and goats, cattle and horses, donkeys,

mules, and dogs were found among the sites looking unharmed or eaten like the wild deer was.

The abundance of water sources made it easy for drinking, watering animals, irrigating

fields, and washing. They mainly used the water from rivers, springs, and collected rainwater for

cleaner purposes. The main river in the Hittite heartland was the MaraManta, which corresponds

to the modern Kizil Irmak, which was where they first migrated. Other rivers were the Zuliya

and Kurnmesmaha that were further in the north. Since these rivers where much harder to

navigate to so most of the time they were not used for travel and transport. Springs were

everywhere and would be treated with religious services daily. Shrines and fountains were built

for more holy waters in the inner cities. And oddly enough springs and rivers were conceived as

female, rather than male spirits. But the other water source, the sky, was conceived as male.

Once the Hittites moved in and civilized they were the people who ruled the central

Anatolian kingdom of Hatti. They formed the earliest known Anatolian civilization and

employed an advanced system of government based on an established legal system. Their

military was well trained, and well equipped. While the Hittites may have been immigrants to the
land of Hatti at first, they quickly adapted to the language, customs and religion of the aboriginal

Hattians. They brought with them various technologies including manufacturing methods such as

the smelting and casting of iron. Although the Hittite Empire ended thousands of years ago, it has

by no means been forgotten, and its capital Hattusha has been declared a World Heritage Site

today, where is can be visited in Turkey.

Work Cited

Gilan, Amir. "Hittite Religious Rituals and the Ideology Of Kingship." Religion

Compass 5.7 (2011): 276-285. Academic Search Complete. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.

"The Hittite Empire." American Visions 8.2 (1993): 12. Academic Search Complete. Web.

9 Oct. 2015.

Ceram, c w. The secret of the Hittites; the discovery of an ancient empire. New York:

knoph, 1956. Print.

Joshua J. Mark. Hatti, Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 20, 2012.

http://www.ancient.eu /hatti/.