Prehistory: Archeological evidence shows the cultivation of dill in Neolithic lake shore settlements in Switzerland. ¹

Egypt: Dill is mentioned in the writings of the Egyptians and several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of Amenhotep II¹

Dill's powerful aroma is probably why ancient peoples, such as the Scythians, used the herb to embalm their dead. Dill was brought to Europe by Monks, who believed it chased off the Bublteufel (incubus or devil) Dill was also used to help suppress fertility. Dill is included in the nine sacred herbs of pagan festivals of the Goddess, that was later consecrated to Mary. These plants are believed to be the flowering herbs found in Mary's grave. Dill, yarrow, mugwort, arnica, calendula, valerian, tansy, lovage and sage ^{Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Wolf-Deieter Storl Witchcraft Medicine(1998)}

Greek/Roman: Dill is commonly regarded as the Anethon of Dioscorides. It was well known in Pliny's days

Middle Ages: Lyte (Dodoens, 1578) says Dill was sown in all gardens amongst worts and pot-herbs^{Grieve, M.,255}

In the Middle Ages, dill was also one of the herbs used by magicians in their spells, and charms against witchcraft. In Drayton's Nymphidia are the lines:
Therewith her Vervain and her Dill,
That hindereth Witches of their Will.
^{Grieve, Maude Modern Herbal (1931)}

Zohary, Daniel; Hopf, Maria (2000). Domestication of plants in the Old World