The joint Egyptian-American archaeological mission, working in North Abydos, Sohag Governorate, has uncovered what is believed to be the oldest high-production brewery in the world.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities said that the factory likely dates back to the era of King Narmer. He added that it consisted of eight large sections with an area of 20 m length x 2.5 m width x 0.4 m deep, which were used as units for the production of beer.
Waziri added that each sector contained about 40 earthenware ponds arranged in two rows to heat the mixture of grains and water. He explained that each basin was fixed in position by means of clay pillars and placed vertically in the form of rings.
The mission is headed by Dr. Matthew Adams of New York University, and Dr. Deborah Vischak of Princeton University.
Dr. Matthew Adams, head of the mission indicated that studies have proven that the factory was producing about 22,400 liters of beer at one time. He added that it may have been built in this place specifically to supply the royal rituals that were taking place inside the funeral facilities of the first kings of Egypt.
Evidence for the use of beer in sacrificial rituals was found during excavations in these facilities.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, a number of British archaeologists discovered this plant , and its location was not precisely determined. The current mission was able to re-locate and reveal its location and its contents.
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