The ancient Egyptian king’s menu was surprisingly high-status and well-prepared
When we think of Tutankhamun, we imagine gold and jewels. But his tomb also held a massive supply of food, meticulously prepared and preserved. From salted beef to resin-infused delicacies, the contents of his burial chamber reveal much about the culinary tastes and social hierarchies of the New Kingdom.
Tutankhamun’s tomb contained a vast array of food items, stored in specialized boxes shaped like little coffins. These containers held meat and poultry that had been prepared, cut, salted, and seasoned, much like modern ready-to-eat poultry. The king’s diet focused on high-status proteins; beef was the premier meat, accompanied by poultry such as ducks, geese, and pigeons. Interestingly, while chickens are common today, they were not present in Ancient Egypt during this era.
The preservation of these foods relied on a fascinating substance known to Egyptologists as 'black goo.' Found lining the interior of white food boxes, this substance is an extraordinary mixture of wax, oils, and terebinnetic resin—the same materials used in the mummification process. This mixture served a dual purpose: it acted as a barrier against bacteria and insects while also functioning as a flavoring. The use of resin in cooking is a culinary tradition that has persisted from antiquity into modern Middle Eastern cuisine.
While the tomb contained evidence of the king's hunting prowess—including bows, arrows, and depictions of him pursuing gazelle, oryx, and ibex—these wild animals were notably absent from his food stores. It is believed that these animals were provided so he could hunt them in the afterlife. The food present was more about status and preference, featuring items like honey-preserved figs and a diet centered on the elite's preferred proteins, rather than the more accessible, lower-class foods like fish or pig.
Source: Feeding King Tut
