Emmer Wheat

Emmer wheat grain, as identified by Professor Percy Newberry about 1910, a staple cereal of ancient Egypt, where it was used to make bread and beer. In 1879 it was noted as being displayed in a "wooden box" (accession no. M11120). This is probably from a tomb. In Joseph Mayer's 1852 catalogue he notes that the food and fruit on display in case 7 were "taken from the tombs at Thebes". Food, including containers of grain, were often left in a tomb as a food for the deceased. Ex Joseph Sams collection no. 115 (p. 32).