Beer And The Pyramids: Ancient Builders' Daily Drink

The builders of the Giza pyramids in Egypt were paid with daily rations of bread and beer. Beer was distributed three times a day, with workers receiving approximately 4 to 5 litres of 5% beer per day, or about ten pints. In addition to beer, there were five kinds of beer and four kinds of wine available to the workers.

Builders were paid in beer

The builders of the Giza pyramids in Egypt were paid in beer. In fact, beer was dished out to them three times a day, with five kinds of beer and four kinds of wine available. They received a daily ration of about a gallon and a third of beer, or roughly 4 to 5 litres per day. This was the equivalent of ten pints of five-per-cent beer per day.

The ancient Egyptians made beer from barley, and it was their daily drink. Beer was a hearty, starchy brew that could double as a meal. In ancient Egypt, vessels were communal, and people would sip from straws. The graves of the pyramid builders have been found preserved with jars of beer.

Beer wages were not unique to ancient Egypt. In the ancient Mesopotamian city of Uruk, residents were also paid for their labour in beer. In the Middle Ages, records show that the poet Geoffrey Chaucer was paid in wine.

Beer was a hearty, starchy meal replacement

The builders of the Giza pyramids in Egypt were paid in beer. They received a daily ration of about a gallon and a third, or roughly 4 to 5 litres, of beer. This was a substantial amount, equivalent to about ten pints of beer per day.

The beer consumed by the pyramid builders was a hearty, starchy brew that could double as a meal. It was made from barley and had a low alcohol content. It was thick and porridge-like, and it was drunk through straws to strain some of the floating particles.

The practice of paying workers in beer was not unique to ancient Egypt. In the ancient Mesopotamian city of Uruk, residents were also paid for their labour in beer. In the Middle Ages, the poet Geoffrey Chaucer was paid an annual salary that included a "tonel" of wine, which was approximately 252 gallons.

Even today, some employers continue the practice of paying workers in alcohol. For example, in 2013, Amsterdam started a controversial program where they paid alcoholics in beer to pick up trash.

Beer was drunk three times a day

The beer was likely a low-alcohol, thick, fermented porridge-like gruel, drunk through straws from communal vessels. It was made from barley and was one of five kinds of beer available to the workers, in addition to four types of wine. This variety ensured that the pyramid builders had plenty of options to quench their thirst and stay nourished during their arduous labour.

The practice of paying workers in beer was not unique to ancient Egypt, with records from ancient Mesopotamia also indicating that people were compensated with beer for their labour. In the Middle Ages, the poet Geoffrey Chaucer was paid an annual salary that included a significant amount of wine. Even today, some employers continue the tradition of offering alcohol as a form of payment or perk, whether through controversial programs to help alcoholics or as a casual Friday afternoon treat for employees.

The discovery of beer as a form of payment for the pyramid builders provides valuable insights into the culture and practices of ancient Egypt. It also highlights the importance of alcohol in societies throughout history, often serving as more than just a beverage but as a means of sustenance, social lubrication, and creative inspiration.

While the pyramid builders' daily beer intake may seem excessive by modern standards, it is important to note that the brew was likely low in alcohol content. Nonetheless, it provided the workers with the nourishment and refreshment they needed to endure the physical demands of constructing these monumental structures.

Beer was consumed through straws

The builders of the Giza pyramids in Egypt were paid in beer. They received approximately 4 to 5 litres of beer per day, or about ten pints of five-percent beer. This was a common practice, as beer was a hearty, starchy brew that could double as a meal in ancient times.

The beer was consumed through straws, as it was often thick and porridge-like, with floating particles that needed to be strained. In ancient Egypt, drinking vessels were communal, and people would sip from straws to avoid these particles.

The beer was made from barley and was likely a daily drink for the pyramid builders. This is supported by the discovery of preserved jars of beer in the graves of the builders.

While it may seem that drinking ten pints of beer a day would hinder the pyramid-building process, it is important to note that ancient beer was likely lower in alcohol content than modern beer. Additionally, beer was a common form of payment for labour in ancient times, and it is believed that the pyramid builders were not slaves but free Egyptians working for the gods.

Beer was served alongside wine

The builders of the pyramids of Giza were paid for their labour in beer. They received a daily ration of a gallon and a third of beer, which is equivalent to roughly 4 to 5 litres or ten pints of beer per day. Beer was served to them three times a day, and there were five kinds of beer and four kinds of wine available.

The beer was a hearty, starchy brew that could double as a meal. It was a low-alcohol, thick, fermented, porridge-like gruel that was drunk through straws to strain some of the floating particles. In ancient Egypt, vessels were communal, and people would sip from straws.

The workers also received rations of bread and wine as part of their wages. In addition to their pay, the Pharaoh gave them food, clothing, and shelter.

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