In
the late 1940s, Rietz's work and travels in the Middle East led to his acquiring
a varied collection of ancient artifacts related to all aspects food technology.
This collection of metal utensils and clay vessels date from several eras, although
the majority are from the second century BCE through the second century CE.
Biblical cuisine became one of his research interests and he would later use
this collection of artifacts for demonstrations and lectures.
Carl Austin Rietz, far right, looks on as his daughter Sandra and her new husband cut their wedding cake, 1955. |
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The wedding of his daughter Sandra, in 1955, became headline news due
to his unconventional use of ancient artifacts in the ceremony. Rietz
incorporated elements of ancient biblical marriage rites complete with
period wine cups and oil lamps. The wedding cake was the size and shape
of a beehive, and served with other foods Rietz had researched for their
connection to ancient traditions for celebrating the marriage union.
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