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Utilized by humans for thousands and thousands of years, the production and consumption of honey, is a long lasting and natural process
Created by honeybees, primarily the apis mellifera species. The process involves collecting nectar from flowers, and bringing it back to the hive. Using enzymatic activity, the hives transform the deposited nectar into honey.

Archaeological findings suggest that honey was used by humans at least 8,000 years
During the neolithic period. Roughly from 10,000 to 4,000 years ago. Would have been an incredible time for farming. Let alone, what became known as apiculture, or beekeeping. At some point during this time, Honey making evolved. People learned to domesticate bees. They needed it. We could use wax for things like waterproofing, plugging holes, and attaching materials on tools and weapons. And so it went. A healthy sugar, sweet food supply. As well as a tangible material that could be used on tools, and for building materials.

During the neolithic period, humans started cultivating plants and domesticating animals
This shift towards agriculture and settled living, had a profound impact on various aspects of life. Including food production, storage and bees. It is likely that honey played a big role in the diet of neolithic communities. Both as a natural sweetener, its potential medicinal properties, and more.

Archaeological evidence suggests honey really begin being collected and consumed during the neolithic period
Early humans likely harvested honey from wild beehives, and, as they became more settled. Developed early forms of beekeeping or apiculture.

Did you know? As a part of neolithic architecture. The designs of some buildings known as tholois. We duplicated to look like bee hives.

The earliest reference of bee keeping. Is from a cave in Iberia at Cuevas de la Araña en Bicorp (1)

The development of beekeeping evolved. Humans begin creating artificial hives
Encouraging bees to build colonies that could be easily managed. Over time, various methods were developed to extract honey. While also minimizing disruption.

While neolithic honey doesn’t refer to a specific type or variety of honey. It does underscores the historical importance. During the advent of civilization and design. Bee utilization during this period represents one of the important early instances. With humans harnessing the benefits of bees, and their bee producing honey. And, not just being stung.

Citation: 1) Crane, Eva (1983) The Archaeology of Beekeeping, Cornell University Press, ISBN 0-8014-1609-4

Bibliography: Hunt CL, Atwater HW (7 April 1915). Honey and Its Uses in the Home. US Department of Agriculture, Farmers’ Bulletin, No. 653. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2015.

“King Tut’s Sweet Tooth” (https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know-history/king-tut
s-sweet-tooth). Office for Science and Society. 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-06.

Magazine, Smithsonian; Geiling, Natasha (2013-08-22). “The Science Behind Honey’s
Eternal Shelf Life” (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-behind-honeys-eternal-shelf-life-1218690/). Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-06.

Ganesh, Sandhya (2020-08-13). “Love Me Some Honey. Discovery of the Oldest Honey – Lessons from History” (https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/love-me-some-honey-15ca6712916e). Medium