Unpacking the weight of spices: a preliminary exploration of long-tail contexts in the VOC trade

This study explores the long-tail contexts of spices in the trade records of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), focusing on their alternative uses beyond conventional commerce and consumption. Using two primary sources, the General Missives (GM) and the Bookkeeper-General Batavia (BGB), we analyzed the data related to the most frequently traded spices from the 18th century. Our approach includes quantitative and geospatial analyses of shipment data, supported by a fine-grained analysis of their textual descriptions. Low-volume shipments were identified as potential markers for alternative uses, such as medicinal purposes or diplomatic gifts, rather than bulk trade. This preliminary exploration highlights the significance of long-tail entities in historical data and investigates potential markers to support their future automatic identification.