Beekeeping has a long history and has been practiced by a variety of ancient civilizations around the world. The oldest known evidence of beekeeping dates back to ancient China, where it was practiced as early as the Neolithic Age (c. 8000-4000 BCE). Bees were highly prized for their honey and wax, and the Chinese used beeswax for a variety of purposes including in the production of candles and as a binding agent in paints and varnishes.
Beekeeping was an important part of ancient Greek society, and bees were highly prized for their honey and wax. The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote extensively about bees and their behavior, and the Greek god Apollo was associated with bees and beekeeping. Beekeeping was also an important part of ancient Roman society, and honey was an important commodity that was used for a variety of purposes including as a sweetener and in the production of cosmetics and medicine.
Beekeeping has a long history in India, where it has been practiced for thousands of years. In ancient Indian culture, bees were considered to be sacred and were associated with the gods. Honey was used as a sweetener and in the production of a variety of products including mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Beekeeping was also practiced in ancient Mesopotamia, where bees were considered to be a symbol of royalty and were depicted in art and literature. Honey was an important commodity in ancient Mesopotamia, and it was used for a variety of purposes including as a sweetener, in the production of alcohol, and in the making of cosmetics and medicinal preparations.
Ancient Egypt also has a long history with beekeeping, with evidence of the practice dating back to at least the Old Kingdom (c. 2613-2181 BCE). Bees were highly prized in ancient Egyptian society, and honey was an important commodity that was used for a variety of purposes including as a sweetener, in the production of cosmetics and ointments, and as an offering to the gods. It was also used to make candles and to embalm the dead, as well as in the production of cosmetics, soap, and pharmaceuticals. Beekeeping in ancient Egypt was closely tied to the cult of the goddess Neith, who was associated with bees and honey. Beekeeping was done using a variety of methods, including the use of hives made from clay or wood, and the practice of capturing wild bees and transferring them to hives. The bees were fed a mixture of honey and water, and the honeycombs were removed from the hives using smoke to calm the bees.