Uploaded June 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Honey was used throughout the ancient Near East for sweetening, food, medicine, alcoholic beverages (mead), mummification, and as a metaphor for goodness, abundance, and love.
But we know surprisingly little about how bees were first domesticated and the origins of beekeeping. This lecture explores what we can learn from ethnography, archaeology, texts, and art about ancient Near Eastern bees and honey ¬ in a journey that takes us from Egypt to the realm of King Midas in Anatolia, and ends in Canaan - the Land of Milk and Honey.
Our lectures are free and available to the public thanks to the generous support of our members. To become a member, please visit: bit.ly/2AWGgF7
Honey was used throughout the ancient Near East for sweetening, food, medicine, alcoholic beverages (mead), mummification, and as a metaphor for goodness, abundance, and love.
But we know surprisingly little about how bees were first domesticated and the origins of beekeeping. This lecture explores what we can learn from ethnography, archaeology, texts, and art about ancient Near Eastern bees and honey ¬ in a journey that takes us from Egypt to the realm of King Midas in Anatolia, and ends in Canaan - the Land of Milk and Honey.
Our lectures are free and available to the public thanks to the generous support of our members. To become a member, please visit: bit.ly/2AWGgF7
