Ancient Beehives Are Found in Israel

Israeli archaeologists discovered evidence of what are believed to have been the first beehives in the ancient Near East.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology said the apiary dating from the biblical period was found in excavations at Tel Rehov in Israel’s Beth Shean Valley.

Archaeology Professor Amihai Mazar said the newly discovery apiary dates from the 10th to the early ninth centuries B.C. Three rows of hives were found in the apiary, containing more than 30 hives. It is estimated, however, based on excavations to date, that the total area would have contained some 100 beehives.

Mazar emphasized the uniqueness of the find by noting actual beehives have never been discovered at any site in the ancient Near East. While fired ceramic vessels that served as beehives are known in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, none were found in situ and beekeeping on an industrial level, such as suggested by the apiary at Tel Rehov, is unknown in the archaeological record.

The researchers also included Guy Bloch of the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Dvori Namdar of the Weizmann Institute of Science and Professor Mina Evron of Haifa University.