Honey is one of the oldest and most essential elements of the human diet. Some studies indicate that the human relationship with honey dates back over 10,000 years when it was first discovered inside wild bee nests, and its sweet taste was savored. A drawing was found on a wall from the Neolithic period (4500 – 9000 BC) in the Spider Cave near Valencia, representing a human figure taking honey from a hole in an upright rock, with bees buzzing around it. Historically, this makes honey the oldest food discovered even before agriculture and animal domestication.
In the tomb of King Tutankhamun, honey dating back 3,000 years was found in ceramic utensils. Until recently, it was believed to be the oldest honey ever discovered in history. However, in 2012, it was reported that in 2003, three types of honey: Berry, Linden, and meadow flower – were found in ceramic utensils during the construction of an oil pipeline in western Tbilisi, Georgia, and scientists estimated those honey types to age around 5,500 years!
History has provided us with numerous tales of the ancient use of honey and its various purposes in different regions of the world. Honey is considered to be the first known food preservative. Ancient civilizations, especially the Roman and Greek civilizations, recognized the value of honey and held it in high regard. In ancient Greece, honey was considered nature’s greatest gift and was used to preserve meat and other foods to keep them fresh for longer periods. The Greeks also discovered the therapeutic properties of honey and used it to treat various ailments.
Honey was a favorite food among ancient Egyptians, who used it to preserve the bodies of the deceased. It was also used for wound healing and as an antiseptic to prevent infections. They also believed that honey had a calming effect on the nerves (a belief supported by modern science through medical experiments), and they often mixed it with milk or water to create a soothing beverage.
In ancient India, bees hold an honorable place. The ancient Indians considered honey to be the medicine that brings happiness to its people and preserves their youth. It was mainly made from honey and was considered the most important antidote against mineral, plant, or animal poisoning.