Date:    Sun, 16 Nov 2014 12:22:42 +0200
From:    Barnea Levi Selavan <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: fat use and storage

Dear list members,

I am about to initiate research to write a paper on the earliest use and
storage of animal and bird fats.

Currently I envision one section on prehistoric times, and then recurring
again in the Late Bronze-Iron Ages.

Texts from different ancient cultures;
evidence of the various processes and required utensils for rendering and
storing fat;
and detailing what the potentional uses were,
are all issues I ask your help in.

There is medicinal use, working with tools, shield protection, as David
laments for Saul and Jonathan; foodstuffs.
Ancient ink, such as in the Qeiyafa ostracon, contained charcoal and animal
fat. What else?

In terms of food- why would I use these fats? How long would they last? Are
there animals that are preferred?
For example, in some parts of Europe in recent centuries, goose fat was the
favorite.
And anyone in the Lower East Side of New York knew the words "chicken
schmaltz."

I woudl appreciate your references to writings and lines of investigation.


Yours

Barnea Levi Selavan
MA Program
Tel Aviv University