History of York

Judging by the number of animal bones they discarded, Romans in York ate lots of meat.  Beef was by far the favourite but mutton, pork, chicken were also served up.  Even the bones of a dormouse been found amongst the Roman rubbish – stuffed dormice were considered a delicacy.

There is also evidence that fish and crabs were regularly on the menu.  The crabs probably came from the Bridlington area and herring from the Humber estuary.

Bread and cereal foods like porridge were important staples in the diet, and the people of Roman York ate cereals grown in the surrounding countryside. 

Other food came from much further afield.  Olives, grapes, wine and figs were imported from the continent.