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Honey Bee & Ancient Uses

Honey bees have been recognized as important and contributory since the ancient times. People in ancient Egypt saw the bees as crucial figures and would treat them highly. The honey from the bees would be carefully extracted and stored and was even used as gifts to the gods. There was also medicinal uses for honey. Honey was seen as a luxury good and only the highest of ancient society were allowed access. Both honey and the wax from the bees were also said to have been used in the mummification process that the ancient Egyptians are well-known for.

A Gift to the Gods
- The bee was so important in Ancient Egypt that the country even became associated with the symbol of the bee. The ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, or their king, was even given the title of "Bee King", which demonstrates how powerful and crucial bees were considered in that society. The Egyptians kept bees in temples to both protect them and to satisfy the gods' need for honey. Often times honey was given as a sacrifice itself, and other times animal sacrifices were lathered and filled with honey.
Health and Medicinal Purposes of Honey
- Besides serving as a sweet treat to the gods, honey produced by bees also had medicinal and healing purposes. Honey would be used in the production of ointments that treated burns and cuts. As a natural antiseptic, honey contains antimicrobial agents within it that can help kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses. It can help reduce the spread of infection and also has bounding health benefits for the inside of the body as well, not just the outside. Honey is packed with vitamins B and C that helps internal organs, such as the heart, and it supports blood flow and circulation.
Only for the High-Society
- Honey was viewed as a very luxurious item and was only readily available to those well-to-do people in ancient society. It was used in many meals as a sweetener and often even eaten by itself. Peasants and servants in society were not able to afford honey but were just as drawn to its sweet nectar as the wealthy. The rich saw honey as a necessity at their dinner table, as much of a necessity as other foods such as meat, vegetables, and wine. It had to be on the table.
Mummification
- Honey bees also served an important role in the one thing Ancient Egyptians are incredibly well-known for: Mummification. Both the honey and the wax from honey bees were used in the mummification process. Jars of honey were stored in the tombs of the mummies alongside their most prized possessions and gold. The wax was also used as a solidification agent in the empty orifices of the dead bodies to slow the rate of decomposition.

Insects & Science