Who invented beer and how did this drink influence the emergence of the first cities? The history of beer, ancient recipes, and unexpected facts about its role in the development of human civilization.
Who invented beer and when
Many, when thinking of beer, imagine pubs or German festivals. However, this drink is much older. According to archaeologists, beer became the very “social glue” that made people unite and build the first cities. Interestingly, the oldest traces of beer were found in Israel.
Where were the oldest traces of beer found
The oldest “brewery” was discovered in the Raqefet Cave, and it is over 11–13 thousand years old. At that time, people did not yet know how to grow grain on a large scale. There are serious arguments in favor of the idea that it was beer, not bread, that caused the agricultural revolution. The desire to hold large celebrations and strengthen social ties pushed people to domesticate grains.
In this context, it is worth noting that beer not only contributed to the unification of people but also became an important element of culture. News of Israel | Nikk.Agency emphasizes that beer played a key role in social rituals.
How alcohol was made from grain
To obtain alcohol from grain, it is necessary to break down starch. Ancient peoples used various methods:
- Malting: the grain was sprouted, which is a classic method still used today.
- Saliva: people chewed the grain, as the enzymes in saliva did all the work. This method was used in Africa and South America.
- Mold: in Asia, a special mold called koji was used, as in the production of sake.
How Mesopotamia made beer mass-produced
About 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), beer became a real industry. Here, the first writing appeared, and it was very practical. The first scribes compiled lists, including lists of beer.
The name of one of the first accountant-brewers was Kushim. He recorded on clay tablets how many ingredients were used for various types of beer. His records were preserved thanks to an accidental fire that “hardened” the clay.
The goddess of beer and “salary” for builders
Beer was so important that it had a patroness — the goddess Ninkasi. People even sang a hymn to her, which was actually a rhymed recipe for making the drink. Beer became not only a part of culture but also an important element of the economy of the first cities.
Thus, beer became not just a drink, but a true symbol of unity and prosperity. It bonded large groups of people in the first cities of history.