Smyrnium olusatrum L. (alexanders): an ancient kitchen herb from late medieval Rotterdam (The Netherlands)

Abstract

An archaeobotanical sample from Rotterdam (The Netherlands), dating to ad 1400–1425, yielded carbonized split fruits of Smyrnium olusatrum. Just two other archaeobotanical records of this species exist, both from the UK. Based on written medieval sources, the species must have been more common in medieval Europe than the archaeobotanical record would suggest. The remains resemble vegetative plant tissue. This article aims to attract attention to the identification of these characteristic remains.