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Archaeologists have uncovered what is possibly the oldest known beer factory in Egypt.
The excavations took place in Abydos, as announced by Mostafa Wasiri, General Secretary of the Supreme Council for Antiquities.
There, more than 450 kilometers south of Cairo, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt.
The brewery probably dates from the time of King Narmer, who ruled during the early days of the Early Dynastic period (3150 to 2613 BC).
The archaeologists found eight units, each with around 40 pottery bowls, which were used to heat a mixture of grain and water to brew beer, Wasiri said.
Each unit is about 20 meters long and 2.5 meters wide.
British archaeologists would have mentioned the factory in the early 20th century, but could not have found its location.
One picture shows a historic vat that was probably used for beer fermentation
Source: AFP / -
The factory was likely built to brew beer for royal rituals, said Matthew Adams of New York University, one of the leaders of the excavation.
Archaeologists have found evidence that beer was used in sacrificial rites in ancient Egypt.