World’s oldest brewery was uncovered in the ancient Egyptian city and prominent historic site known as Abydos
The brewery which is believed to be on an industrial-scale level was originally discovered by British archaeologists in the early 20th century but, according to Egypt’s antiquities ministry, its importance was not realized and its exact location was later lost.
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Eight huge units – each about 20m by 2.5m – were found in Abydos, an ancient burial ground in the desert.
Each unit included two rows of around 40 pots, used to heat the mix of grains and water to make the beer, said Egypt’s ministry of tourism and antiquities.
Dr Matthew Adams, head of the US-Egyptian mission, said the ancient brewery made about 22,400 litres of beer at a time.
It’s believed to date back to the time of King Narmer, known for his unification of Egypt at the start of the First Dynastic Period (3150 BC-2613 BC).
Dr Adams said it appeared the factory was built specifically at Abydos to provide beer for rituals that were taking place inside funeral facilities for the kings of Egypt.
He said there was evidence beer was used by ancient Egyptians in sacrificial rites.
Abydos is one of ancient Egypt’s oldest cities and included a necropolis, where early pharaohs were entombed, and many temples.
The city’s monuments honoured Osiris, the god of the underworld – believed by ancient Egyptians to judge souls in the afterlife. Read more from Sky
