Food historians claim that ancient people of the Mediterranean created the first pies. From Rome, the pie tradition spread through Europe. Northern Europeans used lard and butter to create the pastry crust that resembles the pie we recognize today. Most early pies contained meat and fish, and were called “coffins.” By the American Revolution, bakers had adapted the word “crust.” From early Roman times to when English settlers landed in America, the crust was usually not eaten, instead it held the insides together during baking.