Underneath an ancient road in the area of Jerusalem known as the City of David, archaeologists have discovered an enormous collection of fossilized food waste that dates to the 10th century CE—shortly after the Muslim conquest of the city. Amanda Borschel-Dan reports:
According to well-preserved seeds, bones, and other refuse, ancient city dwellers feasted on beef, fish, and fowl, with sides of veggies and lentils. And for dessert? How about cake, or a fruit salad of figs, grapes, and black mulberries?
The fossilized refuse provides physical evidence of the urban diet of the early Islamic period in Israel. Also on the menu, said Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists, were eggs, fish, different possibly medicinal grasses—and the first proof of locally grown eggplant. . . .
The preserved pits and seeds give insight into the economy, trade and agriculture during the Abbasid caliphate, which ruled the region [at the time]. Among the vessels discovered in the garbage dump was an ancient lamp bearing the inscription barakha or blessing, in Arabic.
Whether the refuse was produced by Jews, Christians, Arabs, or some combination remains to be seen.
Read more on Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-was-for-dinner-in-jerusalem-1100-years-ago-a-massive-refuse-pit-tells-us/