Monday, December 11, 2006
D0163

The ancient Egyptian beekeeping scene in the tomb of Ankh-hor

Gene Kritsky, cdarwin@aol.com, College of Mount St. Joseph, Department of Biology, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH

Scenes of beekeeping in Ancient Egyptian art date back to an Old Kingdom (2400 BCE) relief from the Sun Temple of Ne-user-re at Abu Ghorab. This scene shows one beekeeper collecting honey from horizontal, cylindrical hives and others pouring honey into jars for storage. Other beekeeping scenes are known from the tombs of Rekhmire, Pabasa, Tomb 73, and, purportedly, a carving from the causeway of Unas at Saqqara. The tomb of Ankh-hor, located near the tomb of Pabasa, features a beekeeping scene that has been previously unreported in the entomological literature. The Ankh-hor beekeeping relief is described, illustrated, and compared to the previously known carvings and painting.


Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (honey bee)

See more of Display Presentations, Section Cb. Apiculture and Social Insects
See more of Poster

See more of The 2006 ESA Annual Meeting, December 10-13, 2006
COMMENTS AND CORRECTIONS

  • From Mike Smith, Editorial Assistant, Hylas Publishing Company, February 6, 2007
    Dear Professor Kritsky, Iam writing on behalf of Hylas Publishing, which islocated in Irvington, New York. We are currently producing a book entitled "Extreme Bugs", an entertaining and educational book with many vivid photographs of insect life, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution. This may be a long shot, but I am writing to ask if you had any images of ancient drawing of bees in a tomb. We feel that an image of this specimen would be perfect for our book. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Thank you very much, we look forward to hearing from you. Best, Mike Smith

  • From Gerard Nolet, Chemist, University of New Hampshire, March 16, 2007
    Can you verify that comb honey has been buried with Pharaohs and found to still be stable and edible?? I am a long time beekeeper and the above has often been stated as gospel. I only have oral history and no factual data to support this claim. Thanks in advance for your help. Gerard Nolet