On December 8-10, experts on the medicinal and culinary spices of Antiquity gathered at Yarnton Manor and the University of Oxford to explore this fascinating topic. More than 20 scholarly papers were presented by a varied group, including historians, olfactionists, librarians, literary scholars, historians of science and archaeobotanists. The conference banquet, planned by Madhur Jaffrey (who addressed the conference by video link from the USA) also included flavour clouds -- intense olfactory spice experiences -- and ghost pepper sorbet, both courtesy of George Altshuler of Cambridge Capsicum Associates. The proceedings of the conference will be available soon.

Hear Roger Michel and Matthew Cobb discuss Ancient Spice with Tom Holland and Iszi Lawrence on BBC Radio 4.