Drinking Horn Meadery

Mead Hall
Buy Mead Online
Find Mead Near You
Facebook Instagram Youtube

3000 Year Old Honey Still Edible?!

Honey Can Last 3,000 or More Years… and Still Be Eaten!

Explore the fascinating role of honey in ancient Egyptian culture and its use as both a sacred offering and a provision for the afterlife. Despite being over 3,000 years old, pots of honey discovered in Egyptian tombs remain remarkably intact and even edible, thanks to honey’s unique properties that make it resistant to spoilage. The secret lies in its low water content, high sugar levels, and natural antibacterial agents, combined with the bees’ sophisticated production process. As one of the earliest organized beekeeping civilizations, the Egyptians treasured honey not only for its sweetness but also for its spiritual significance.

Archeologists have found (and eaten!) 3,000 year old honey…

Ancient Egyptian royals were often buried with objects they believed were needed for a harmonious transition to the afterlife. Items such as jewelry and games were common inclusions in their tombs, as were everyday staples such as clothing and food. And while we might expect any ancient food to decompose past the point of recognition, archaeologists have actually uncovered 3,000-year-old pots of honey that were, remarkably, intact — and still edible.

Learn about how we use honey to make a delicious drink!
a depiction of honey harvesting in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

How does it work?

 

Honey’s extraordinary shelf life is the result of several factors. Its low water content and high sugar levels create an environment that’s inhospitable to bacterial growth, and it also contains trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a natural microbial inhibitor. While other foods with similar sugar makeup tend to spoil faster, honey has its sophisticated alchemists to thank for its resilience: Bees use their rapidly flapping wings to evaporate most of the honey’s water, and an enzyme in their stomachs contributes to honey’s unique antibacterial property. Egyptians were some of the earliest known organized beekeepers, and along with sending honey into the next life with the deceased, they also offered the sweet substance to their deities.

Here are a few additional fascinating facts related to honey, ancient Egypt, and its preservation:

  1. Honey as Medicine: In addition to its role in religious rituals and burial practices, honey was widely used in ancient Egypt as a natural medicine. It was applied to wounds as an antiseptic and mixed with herbs for treating ailments like coughs and sore throats.

  2. Honey in Hieroglyphics: Honey production and beekeeping were significant enough to be recorded in ancient Egyptian art and hieroglyphics. Some tombs feature depictions of beekeeping activities, such as collecting honeycombs and storing honey in jars.

  3. Sealed for Eternity: The preservation of honey in Egyptian tombs was partly due to the use of tightly sealed clay or stone jars. These containers, combined with honey’s natural properties, created an airtight environment that protected it for millennia.

  4. Honey Beyond Egypt: While the Egyptians were pioneers in organized beekeeping, other ancient cultures also valued honey. The Greeks and Romans used it for sweetening foods, as a currency, and in religious ceremonies.

  5. Symbol of Immortality: Honey was often seen as a symbol of immortality and eternal life in many ancient cultures, including Egypt. Its incorruptible nature made it a fitting offering to gods and a treasured provision for the afterlife.

  6. Other Preserved Foods: Honey isn’t the only food discovered preserved in Egyptian tombs. Archaeologists have also found ancient bread, wine, and grains, which were placed with the deceased as part of their journey to the afterlife, though these were far less intact than honey.

  7. The Role of Bees in Mythology: Bees held symbolic significance in Egyptian mythology. They were associated with the sun god Ra and were thought to have emerged from his tears, making them sacred creatures linked to the divine.