Even 'Stone Age' Humans Loved Honey

Honey is recognized as one of the oldest foods consumed by humans. Archaeologists have evidence of its use during the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt, dating back four thousand four hundred years. However, recent findings suggest that the use of this natural product by humans dates back even further. According to Reuters, this week, archaeologists announced that they have found evidence of honeybee wax used in pottery by Neolithic humans in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. These findings include cooking pots in eastern Turkey, estimated to be eight thousand five hundred years old. Melanie Raft-Salak, a geochemist at the University of Bristol in the UK, states, 'Multiple and undeniable pieces of evidence of honeybee wax use have been found in various archaeological centers in Europe from the Stone Age. This evidence indicates the extensive relationship between humans and honeybees even in prehistoric times.' But why is there evidence of honeybees in pottery (which was used for food)? Archaeologists believe that these wax remnants are leftover honey that prehistoric humans consumed as food. Another theory is that honeybee wax was used as insulation or a protective layer for these pots. Raft-Salak emphasizes that it is clear that Stone Age humans were well aware of their environment and utilized natural resources such as honeybee products, tree sap, and tar to meet their needs. 'However, the most obvious reason for using bees is their honey; a rare natural sweetener in the Stone Age.' But humans soon realized that they could also use wax to make various tools, natural medicines, cosmetics, adhesives, and other items. So far, archaeologists have found traces of honeybee products used in various societies in over 150 ancient centers around the world.