Archaeologists have unearthed what could be the oldest known beer factory. They found the ancient Egyptian beer brewery at Abydos, one of the most prominent archaeological sites of ancient Egypt. The factory apparently dates back to the reign of King Narmer, who is widely known for his unification of ancient Egypt at the beginning of the First Dynastic Period (3150 B.C.- 2613 B.C.)
They’ve excavated eight beer production areas. Each is about 65 ft. by 8 ft. with rows of 40 ceramic basins in them. The ancient Egyptians heated a mixture of grains and water in the basin to make beer. Abydos is the site of a burial ground. Egyptians used beer in royal burial rites. Presumably, this ancient Egyptian beer brewery supplied those ceremonies.
Archaeologists mentioned the existence of this brewery in the early 1900s but its location wasn’t identified. Frankly, it’s probably a good thing that no excavating of the brewery occurred earlier. Now, analysis of the residue and other contemporary tools will tell us a great deal. Abydos contains burials from almost every period in Egyptian ancient history.
Click here for the AP.org “Egypt: Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Beer Factory In Abydos”
For a post on a beer brewery on Cyprus.