saffron (Carthamus tinctorius)

Ingredients

seeds, Carthamus tinctorius

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Archaeobotanical sampling was conducted at three sites (Tell Halawa in 1986, Tell Shiukh Fawqani 1996–1997, and Tell Beydar in 2006) following individual excavation objectives (p. 116). Extraction was achieved by flotation using the Siraf-type system with coarse mesh sieves (1 mm) and small mesh sieves (0.5 mm) (p. 116). Remains were subsequently dried in the shade and sorted under binoculars (10x to 50x magnification) or with the help of a new 3D digital system for observation and measurement (HIROX RH-2000) (p. 117). Identification relied on reference collections of current and archaeological seeds from laboratories in Jalès-France and the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin (p. 117).

Evidence

"According to McCorriston, false saffron was used both for dyeing and oil production. This was likely the case at the sites sampled above as well."

Remarks

The study focuses on macrobotanical data from Northern Syria to reconstruct agricultural systems (p. 114). Among the finds, fruits of oil crops such as false safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) were attested at Tell Shiukh Fawqani (p. 115). The author notes that while used for oil production, archaeological and ethnographic evidence indicates safflower was also cultivated for its use as a dyeing agent in the region, with evidence dating back to the Uruk period (p. 121). The plant is well-adapted to the semi-arid Mediterranean conditions of the Middle Euphrates and Jezirah region due to its tolerance for drought and salinity (p. 116, 119).