The ancient city states of Mesopotamia
were long considered the cradle of civilization. This is where wheat and barley were
domesticated and where the first barley beers were made.
Archaeologists
have always puzzled over why hunter-gatherers started planting and harvesting
tiny grains—it’s a lot of work. In
fertile areas like Mesopotamia (land between the Tigress and Euphrates rivers),
farming was a lot more work than hunting and gathering.
 |
| Upper row shows long straws were used to drink beer from a large jar. Penn Museum. |
Over a
couple of brews, modern archaeologists have a theory. Beer may well be the answer. Its intoxicating properties gave it a much
higher value than just the calories alone.
Plus, it’s really hot and dry in Mesopotamia. And, ancient partygoers soon realized the guy
that brought the beer became legendary with the ladies. PC research is still out on this.
But, one
thing is true as the work of today’s craft brewers and home brewers suggests,
people are willing to put in a little more work for a great beer.
We hold
these truths to be semi-evident. Also,
there is a lot of ancient graffiti, which has survived the ages. {NOTE: image to the left may or may not be in the San Diego Museum of Man beer expo. Most of the more erotic carvings involve
women in various poses all sipping on long straws of beer. Again, we’re running that through PC research
at the moment.
However, to
learn true stuff about the roots of beer in the ancient world, San Diego Museum
of Man’s current “Beerology” exhibit offers other intriguing beer centric
stories, including ancient artifacts that reveal the links between beer and culture.
Craft beer
has roots. It reflects the foundations
of civilization.
“Beerology,”
The Exhibit is linked with occasional live beer pairings at the venerable
Balboa Park museum (under the California Tower). For info and beer tasting dates check in at http://www.museumofman.org/exhibits/beerology/
“Beerology”
at the San Diego Museum of Man closes in February, 2017.
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