Foodways in early East Asia reflect cultural identity, technological innovation, and community practices. Prehistoric societies across the region diversified their diets with wild resources, experimented with early farming, and developed distinctive cooking and serving traditions. This session highlights research on food procurement, preparation, and consumption in Neolithic China and Japan, alongside comparisons with food culture resilience in Oregon.

The symposium is open to the public, and light refreshment will be provided.

Hosted by:

Prof. Gyoung-Ah Lee (Anthropology, University of Oregon)

Presented by:

Prof. Anne Underhill (Anthropology, Yale University)

Prof. Xuexiang Chen (Archaeology, Shandong University)

Prof. Hiroki Obata (Archaeology, Kumamoto University)

Prof. Katelyn McDonough (Anthropology, University of Oregon)

Event sponsors:

Yoko McClain Lecture Series in Japanese Studies, Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, Food Studies Program, Department of Anthropology, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Oregon Humanities Center’s Endowment for Public Outreach in the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, Center for Asian and Pacific Studies.