Archaeologists uncover an ancient beer factory in Egypt

In an extraordinary find, archaeologists have uncovered a vast 5,000-year-old brewery in Abydos, a city of ancient Egypt, according to a statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The brewery was located in the Sohag Governorate and is believed to date back to the reign of King Narmer around 3100 BC, marking it as the oldest brewery ever discovered in Abydos, the ministry announced.

Dr. Matthew Adams of New York University, part of the Egyptian-American team behind the discovery, suggested that the beer was likely used in royal burial ceremonies for Egypt’s early kings. Previous excavations in the region also uncovered evidence of beer used in sacrificial rituals.

According to Dr. Mostafa Waziry, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, each section of the brewery contained 40 clay vessels designed to heat mixtures of grain and water.

Dr. Adams estimates the brewery could have produced up to 22,400 liters (approximately 5,900 gallons) of beer at once.

In an effort to boost tourism following the setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Egyptian officials are eager to highlight newly discovered artifacts.