Saffron is a crazy expensive spice and pigment, that was domesticated around four thousand years ago by the Minoans. Probably.
Detail of the Saffron Gatherers, a fresco on the walls of Xeste 3 at the Minoan site of Akrotiri in Greece. Image from H-sitt.
Used for flavoring, aroma, dyes, and as a painkiller, the screaming yellow stuff today runs something like US$10 a gram--or about US$5000 a pound. The Minoans of ancient Greece may or may not have been people who domesticated saffron, but it was clearly of similar expense and symbolically important to them.
Read more about
Comments
I like your writing and find it interesting but why do you say that saffron is crazy? Also duh is not necessary in an another wise serious article.
With best intentions
LOVE YOUR STUFF………!!
Interesting article, however according to archeological findings it originates from Eastern Iranian plains.
Regards
Thanks….. for increase over knowledge abut surffon.
Thank you – A very interesting article.
Could the younger woman in the wall painting be wearing a close fitting hat rather than have had her hair shaved as it appears she has a pony tail.
Regards
Claire