Join us for a captivating exploration of human history through the lens of one of our oldest culinary technologies: cheese! This event traces the 11,000-year journey of dairy pastoralism, from its origins in the Near East to its eventual introduction to the Americas.
About the Talk
What were the crucial prerequisites that enabled dairying and cheesemaking to arise for the first time in the Fertile Crescent at the start of the Neolithic? Using the grasslands of the Eurasian Steppe as a focal point, guest speaker Paul Kindstedt explores the roles of human migration, cultural diffusion, and climatic stressors in the development and longevity of lacto-fermentation.
This historical framework will then be used to examine how these ancient pastoral systems were introduced to the Americas by Spanish colonizers, permanently altering the agricultural landscape of the Western Hemisphere.
Schedule of Events
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Exhibit Open. Guests are invited to view the exhibit and engage in conversation with both the curator, Toni Gentilli, and our guest speaker, Paul Kindstedt.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Featured Presentation by Paul Kindstedt.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Reception & Tasting. Join us in the Atrium of the Hibben Center for a curated selection of cheese samples.
Featured Speaker: Paul Kindstedt
Paul Kindstedt is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Vermont and a world-renowned scholar on the history and chemistry of cheese. His work bridges the gap between ancient archaeology and modern food science, offering a unique perspective on how cheese has shaped human civilization.
Selected Publications:
Books:
Cheese and Culture: A History of Cheese and its Place in Western Civilization (Chelsea Green Publishing) (2012)
American Farmstead Cheese: The Complete Guide to Making and Selling Artisan Cheeses (2005)
Notable Articles:
“Survival in a Climate of Change The Origins and Evolution of Nomadic Dairying in Mongolia” (2019)
Purchase Tickets Here