Land of milk and honey? More like the land of hops and brews.
Israeli archaeologists working in Tel Aviv have turned up the remains of 5,000 year-old beer-making equipment. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) quipped, “It turns out that Tel Aviv has been a city that never sleeps for thousands of years.”
Tel Aviv is the second most populous city in Israel, home to various forms of architecture ranging from Art Deco to classical. Too dry for agriculture, the metropolis is renowned for its technological innovation and buzzing nightlife. And apparently, things were just as busy thousands of years ago.
According to Ynetnews, the ol’ time suds were made by brewing barley and water, then letting the mixture ferment in the sun. Turns out flavored beer is nothing new: various fruit concentrates were added to the mixtures, which were then filtered with specialty tools.
The brewing supplies are proof of an ancient Egyptian civilization in Tel Aviv predating the Early Bronze Age (3,000-3,500 BCE). Diego Barkan, director of the excavation on Hamasger Street, explained, “This is the first evidence of Egyptian settlement in central Tel Aviv during this period…Now we know that the ancient Egyptians also appreciated what Tel Aviv had to offer.”
And the best part about living in Tel Aviv 5,000 years ago? You didn’t have to show ID to participate in the festivities. According to the archaeologists, the whole population took part in drinking, no matter a person’s class, gender, and age. Now that’s what we call drinking responsibly.
Images via Shutterstock.com
