11-04-2025
Castle floor hid centuries-old vanilla pod. It's the oldest ever found in Europe
Hidden beneath the floorboards of one of Europe's oldest castles, a vanilla pod sat buried in a mixture of dirt and rubble.
While it might not seem like anything out of the ordinary, this pod may predate every known written record of vanilla in Europe, according to a study published March 18 in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
In 2008, restoration work began at Prague Castle's Vladislav Hall — a ceremonial space also used as a luxury marketplace centuries ago in current day Czechia, according to the study.
During the removal of the hall's parquet floor, archaeologists searched for any artifacts and ecofacts (organic material) that fell between and collected beneath the floorboards over the centuries, according to the study.
While sifting through the mostly 'grey-brown dusty' mixture of clay, pebbles, mortar fragments and wood, archaeologists discovered a vanilla pod.
Researchers said the discovery is unique because written Czech sources do not mention vanilla until the end of the 17th century.
Even when it did begin to appear in texts, vanilla was primarily found in pharmacy manuals and prescriptions that typically called for small quantities, according to the study.
Researchers also note vanilla, originating in Mesoamerica, was likely introduced to Europe by Hernan Cortéz after his conquest of Tenochtitlan, Mexico, in 1521. The earliest known written record of vanilla is an illustration in the 'Aztec Herbarium,' written in 1552.
Radiocarbon analysis dated the pod found in Vladislav Hall to 1513–1666, making it the oldest known pod ever found in Europe, according to the study.
Curiosities at Prague Castle
Prague Castle was the epicenter of central Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, and finding vanilla dating back to this period aligns with the castle's worldly influence, according to the study.
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, made Prague Castle the imperial court in 1583, making it a political, economic and cultural hub, researchers said.
Valdislav Hall also served as a marketplace that offered luxury items, including art, exotic plants, books and other goods, the study said.
Rudolf II was a supporter of art and science and a firm believer in religious tolerance, according to the Czech Center Museum Houston.
He enabled the research of famed scientists, including Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe.
His appreciation for artists and scientific pursuits made Prague 'a center of curiosity,' according to historians.
The research team included J. Irmišová, J. Frolík, J. Tříska, N. Vrchotová, J.J. Garay-Vazquez, T. Velička, I. Světlík and J. Beneš.
