Pottery basins which archaeologists say had been used to heat up a mixture of grains and water to produce beer, in Abydos, Egypt, image provided February 13, 2021. Image Credits: AP
An archaeological excavation by American and Egyptian archaeologists has uncovered what is believed to be the world’s oldest beer factory. Over eight huge units, each of which was 20 metres in diameter and 8 ft in depth, were discovered during the excavations.
Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the factory was found in Abydos, an ancient burial ground located in the desert west of the Nile River, more than 450km (280 miles) south of Cairo. 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 BCE – 2613 BCE), Waziri said.
With its vast cemeteries and temples from the earliest times of ancient Egypt, Abydos is known for monuments honouring Osiris, ancient Egypt’s god of the underworld and the deity responsible for judging souls in the afterlife. The necropolis had been used in every period of early Egyptian history, from the prehistoric age to the Roman times.
Several discoveries have been announced by the Egyptian government over the last few years, in hopes of attracting tourists. The country’s major GDP contribution is from the Tourism sector, and it was heavily hit by the pandemic. It was earlier also affected by the protests and dissent against the ruling government by Egypt’s citizens.
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