Surprised archaeologists unearth an ancient Egyptian brewery in downtown Tel Aviv
Move over, IPAs: The ancient Egyptians were enjoying beer thousands of years ago.
Archaeologists have discovered fragments of ceramic basins that ancient Egyptians used to make beer, the Israeli Antiquities Authority announced. The excavation team also found 17 pits where the Egyptians stored produce in the Early Bronze Age, between 3,500 and 3,000 B.C.E.
The finds are significant for more than beer culture, too: Diego Barkan, who led the dig, told AFP that the find is the first evidence of an "Egyptian occupation" in ancient Tel Aviv.
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The ancient Egyptians created the beer by leaving partially-baked water and barley in the sun to ferment. The antiquities authority noted that beer was "the Egyptian national drink" and was consumed by everyone, no matter what age or social status.
