When was cutlery invented?

Stone knives date back around 2.5 million years, in contrast to the fork, which came much later – around the time of Ancient Greece. Early knives had a much broader use than just as a kitchen utensil – being used as weapons and tools, as well as to spear food. The first forks were originally used to pull food out of large boiling pots and not considered for putting food in your mouth – spoons, knives and hands were preferred for this.

One of the earliest known uses of forks as dining utensils was in Tuscany, Italy, in the 11th century, but this practice didn’t catch on in the rest of Europe until the mid-1600s. After forks had found their place at the table, it was no longer necessary to make table knives with such pointed tips.

Answered by Rik Sargent