Discovering the Culinary Practices of the Ancient Gauls

# What Did the Gauls Eat?
The diet of the Gauls, an ancient Celtic group inhabiting what is now France, has been revealed through archaeological studies. Contrary to popular belief, Gauls were not primarily wild boar hunters; they consumed a variety of foods, primarily from domesticated animals.

## Evidence from Excavations
Research thanks to preventive archaeology has provided significant insights into the food practices of the Gauls. Excavations, such as those at the Corent sanctuary, have uncovered various animal remains and pottery, illustrating communal dining practices. Many of these sites show evidence of wine libations, animal sacrifices, and feasting rituals.

For the Late Iron Age (450-50 BC), archaeological evidence indicates that contrary to the stereotype of Gauls as wild boar hunters subsisting solely on game, they primarily consumed domestic animals such as pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle.

## Food Preparation and Consumption
According to historical accounts, such as those from the Greek author Poseidonius, Gallic meals were served on slightly elevated wooden tables, often including boiled and roasted meats along with some bread and sometimes fish. The rich consumed wine from Italy, while the poorer classes primarily drank beer made from wheat.

Additionally, during feasts, the Gauls mingled traditional local customs with influences from neighboring Mediterranean cultures, such as wine mixing and ritualized drinking patterns.

## Notable Findings
A significant archaeological find at the princely tomb of Lavau revealed a large bronze cauldron that contained red wine infused with local herbs and sweetened with honey. This find underscores the sophistication of Gallic culinary practices and their appreciation for communal drinking rituals resembling those of their Mediterranean counterparts.

In the Lavau tomb, discussions of the larval, pine pitch-coated cauldron filled with expertly mixed wine suggest the careful blending of local resources with imported goods, as the wine and other food items underwent deep symbolic significance in Gaulish culture.

## Conclusion
Overall, the diet of the Gauls transcended their traditional image as mere hunters of wild boar. Rather, they engaged in diverse culinary practices that included significant agricultural yield, communal feasting, and cultural cross-pollination with neighboring societies, reflecting a rich tapestry of ancient European life.