History  It is thought to be indigenous to the Nile Valley, but spread throughout northern Africa and all the Mediterranean countries. Egyptians included it in the mix of spices they used to mummify kings and queens.  It is mentioned in several places in the Bible.  It was used for medicinal purposes by Romans as far back as the fourth century B.C. and for Roman cosmetics in the first century A.D.  Also used as a substitute for very expensive black pepper. Cumin was introduced to the Americas the Spanish and Portuguese settlers