Archaeologists have uncovered in Egypt an ancient high-production brewery that is believed to have been used to brew beer for funerals, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities which posted the announcement on its Facebook page.

The joint Egyptian-American archaeological mission, headed by Dr. Matthew Adams of New York University, and Dr. Deborah Fishak of Princeton University, were working in North Abydos, Sohag, when they discovered what is believed to be the oldest high-production brewery in the world.

Dr. Mostafa Waziry, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the factory is likely to date back to the era of King Narmer, and that it consists of eight large sections with an area of ​​20 m length x 2.5 m width x 0.4 m depth, which were used as units for beer production, as each sector contained about 40 earthenware ponds arranged in two rows to heat the mixture of grains and water, and each basin is held in place by levers made of clay placed vertically in the form of rings.

Dr. Matthew Adams, head of the mission, indicated that studies have proven that the factory was producing about 22,400 liters (5,900 gallons) of beer at a time, and it may have been built in this place specifically to supply the royal rituals that were taking place inside the funeral facilities of the kings of Egypt. Evidence for the use of beer in sacrificial rites was found during excavations in these facilities.

All photos from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.