Cooking on ships in the 10th century would have been quite different from cooking today. Ships in the 10th century would have been powered by sails and/or oars and space available for cooking would have been much smaller than modern ships.
Cooking would have been done over an open flame, typically fueled by wood or charcoal. Cooks would have used pots and pans made of clay or cast iron, and they would have had to be very careful to keep them stable on the moving ship.
The types of dishes that were prepared would have varied depending on the region and the resources available, but common dishes might have included stews, soups, and porridges made with meat or fish, vegetables, and grains.
Here are some of the wonderful kitchen utensils found on Cirebon shipwreck that was once used over a millenia ago:
Cooking pot (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
Water Carrier
The vessel has a neck, the body is oval in shape, part of the body is decorated with stamp paddles. Women use these containers to carry water from springs or rivers to their homes .
Cooking Pot (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
Cooking Pot
Wide mouth container, carrinated body. Nusantara peoples usually use it to process food such as boiling, cooking dishes such as soup, stew or porridges.
Crockpot lid (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
Cooking pot lid
The lid would have been used to cover the pot during cooking, which helped to retain heat and moisture and ensure that the food was cooked evenly.
Shoe shaped furnace (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
Stove
The shape of this stove is similar to a shoe, equipped with a bulge on which to place the hearth, and at the front is a tray for placing wood. This stove is usually used by fishermen when cooking in their boats.
Decorated cooking pot
Wide mouth container, carrinated body. The notched edges mark this container with a lid. The lower part of the body is decorated with geometric paddle techniques.
The black soot on the walls shows that this container was used.
Grinding stone or Gandik (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
Stone grinder
The stone grinder was a vital tool for sailors and traders navigating the seas of Southeast Asia. The grinder was used to grind various materials, including spices, grains, and herbs, and was essential for preparing food and medicines during long voyages.
Grinding stone or pipisan (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
The grinder is made of high-quality stone, which was carefully selected for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. The stone was shaped into a cylindrical form, with a rough surface that could effectively grind and crush materials.
Crockpot lid (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta
Read more on Indonesian boat making history
Written by Sonny Wibisono, BRIN (National Agency for Research and Innovation)
