Renaissance Recipes: What Science Reveals About Food & History
Forget “eye of newt and toe of frog.” The 16th century wasn’t about witchcraft, but rather a burgeoning era of DIY science when it came to home remedies. From hair loss to kidney stones, people actively experimented with concoctions, meticulously documenting their trials and errors in medical manuals. These “reader-practitioners,” as historian Stefan Hanss calls them, weren’t simply following instructions; they were actively tweaking recipes and leaving a fascinating, and now scientifically accessible, record of their efforts. This article delves into the groundbreaking research utilizing proteomics to unlock the secrets hidden within these Renaissance recipes, revealing a vibrant culture of experimentation and a surprisingly sophisticated understanding of natural ingredients.
Unlocking the Past with Proteomics
Stefan Hanss, an early modern historian at the University of Manchester, is part of an interdisciplinary team that’s pioneering a new approach to historical research. They’ve analyzed trace proteins from the fingerprints left on the pages of Renaissance medical manuals, a method detailed in a recent paper published in The American Historical Review. This marks the first time proteomics has been used to analyze these historical recipes, combined with extensive archival research to provide crucial context. The team’s work demonstrates the power of combining scientific analysis with historical expertise.
“We have so many recipes from that time – cosmetic, medical, and culinary – as well as handwritten recipes passed down through generations,” explains Hanss. “It’s a key element of Renaissance culture, and the manuscripts are covered with scribbled notes from past users. Experimentation was everywhere. It wasn’t just about book-learned knowledge, but hands-on, practical knowledge – a key shift in how people constructed knowledge at the time.”
The Rise of Historical Molecular Records
Over the past few decades, analytical techniques have emerged, allowing researchers to create detailed molecular records of historical cultures. Studying the microbial species on artworks, for example, can inform new methods for preserving aging masterpieces. A 2020 study analyzing Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings used Nanopore sequencing to identify the unique microbiome on each piece, offering insights into their preservation.
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics is a relatively new addition to this toolkit. It provides a thorough characterization of protein residues, even from minimal sample material. Unlike other methods like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, proteomics can identify all proteins present in a sample, regardless of complexity. In 2023, this technique revealed that beer byproducts were commonly used as canvas primers by artists of the Danish Golden Age. Hanss and his team are now applying this methodology to Renaissance medical manuals.
A Thriving DIY Medical Marketplace
The current study originated from a workshop called “Microscopic Records,” bringing together scientists and historians. Hanss was inspired by research extracting proteins from archived manuscripts in Milan and realized the potential for applying this technique to Renaissance recipes. “We knew experimentation was happening, but we couldn’t trace it. This is the first time we’ve sampled, identified, and contextualized biochemical traces of materials,” he states.
Focusing on Vogtherr’s Manuals
The team focused on two 1531 German medical manuals by physician Bartholomäus Vogtherr: How to Cure and Expel All Afflictions and Illnesses of the Human Body and A Useful and Essential Little Book of Medicine for the Common Man. These volumes, housed at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library at Manchester, were written in the vernacular, targeting the general public with remedies for a wide range of ailments, from brain disease to infertility.
This genre of accessible medical advice was relatively new at the time, encouraging at-home experimentation. The city of Augsburg, a major printing hub in the 16th century, fostered a thriving medical marketplace. The Rylands copies of Vogtherr’s manuals clearly show evidence of use, with margins filled with handwritten notes and comments from that period.
Decoding the Handwritten Marginalia
High-resolution photography and multispectral imaging (including infrared and UV wavelengths) were used to recover faded handwriting, such as a recipe for treating ulcers with a mixture of viola and scorpion oil. Samples were then taken from areas where Renaissance users would likely rest their hands or leave fingerprints, avoiding the bindings which are more frequently handled by modern conservators.
While proteomics can’t pinpoint exact dates, the team distinguished between contemporary and older peptides based on their degree of degradation. The quantity of peptides detected also provided clues. One sample was excluded due to an unexpectedly high number of peptide results (2,258), compared to the others (ranging from 40 to 210). Crucially, the team had access to information about the manuals’ users, allowing for informed interpretations based on contemporary recipes and correspondence between medical practitioners.
Insights into Renaissance Remedies
The handwritten notes offer a fascinating glimpse into how people experimented with remedies. For urinary stones, one practitioner suggested “parsley powdered or soaked in wine.” Other notes mention the benefits of broadleaf plantain juice (administered anally) and scarlet hawthorn leaves.
The proteomics results confirmed the presence of ingredients commonly used in the recipes, such as beech, watercress, and rosemary (found near hair loss remedies, attributed to an “overheated brain”), along with cabbage, radish oil, chicory, lizards, and even human feces. (A desperate measure for hair regrowth, perhaps?) The analysis also revealed traces of plants with striking yellow flowers on pages containing recipes for blonde hair dyes, reflecting the Renaissance belief in finding remedies that resembled the desired outcome.
Global Ingredients and Immune Responses
One of the most remarkable findings was the recovery of collagen peptides from hippopotamus teeth or bone, indicating the global circulation of exotic ingredients. Hippo teeth were believed to cure kidney stones, alleviate toothache, and were even used to make dentures.
The analysis also revealed proteins with antimicrobial functions, such as dermcidin (from human sweat glands), which combats E. coli and yeast infections. Traces of immunoglobulin, lipocalin, and lysozyme indicated an active immune response to the remedies, providing insights into how the body reacted to these treatments.
The Future of Renaissance Recipe Research
Hanss is enthusiastic about these initial results and plans to launch a larger project to apply this interdisciplinary approach to other collections of medical manuals. He also aims to refine the dating methodology. “The ingredients for success are there,” he says. “We’ve not only found new answers to old questions, but we’re now in a position to ask completely new questions.” This research opens up exciting possibilities for understanding Renaissance culture, medicine, and the history of experimentation. The intersection of history, chemistry, and archaeology, powered by cutting-edge proteomics, is truly revolutionizing our understanding of the past.
Source: The American Historical Review, 2025. DOI: 10.1093/ahr/rhaf405