Digging in an old cesspool to discover the eating habits of the past? 'It's never as dirty as you might think'

Merit Hondelink explores historical Dutch diets through archeobotanical research, analyzing ancient waste to uncover past eating habits. Her findings reveal a richer diet than previously thought, particularly for children in a 17th-century orphanage. By combining historical records with archeological evidence, she paints a vivid picture of daily life and food consumption. Hondelink also engages the public through cooking workshops and a podcast, making history accessible and relatable. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between archaeologists and historians to enhance understanding of the past.