Archaeologists have discovered sweet treat-honeycombs, beeswax and 30 intact hives dating back to around 900 B.C in the ruins of the city of Rehov, Israel. Believed to be the oldest intact beehives ever found this discovery offers unique evidence that an advanced honey industry existed in the Holy Land at the time of the Bible.
The beehives, made of straw and unbaked clay which have a hole at one end to allow the bees in and out and a lid on the other end have been found in orderly rows, three high, in a room that could have accommodated around 100 hives.
In ancient times, honey was used for medicinal and religious purposes as well as for food and beeswax was used to make molds for metal and to create surfaces to write on. We all know that there are many references have been made to Israel as a land of milk and honey, in Bible but that’s believed to refer to honey made from dates and figs. Bee cultivation is not at all mentioned but this find is a unique glimpse into ancient beekeeping.
Source: MSNBC
