The First Recorded Sale of Honey in Minoan Times

When considering the first recorded sale of honey, it is important to delve into the rich history of Minoan civilization and their intricate relationship with beehives. There is a wealth of evidence suggesting that honey and bee products were not only essential for daily life but also key trade commodities during the Minoan era.

Introduction to Minoan Beekeeping

Beekeeping, or apiculture, in ancient Minoan times was both a scientific and religious pursuit. The Minoans, who lived on the Greek islands around 3000-1100 BCE, were pioneers in this practice, using ceramic hives, horizontal tubes, and vertical pots made of wood. These hives were often crafted from clay, and their use declined around 1200 BCE. However, the legacy of beekeeping lives on in the archaeological evidence and historical records.

Archaeological Evidence and Written Records

The earliest evidence of honey sales can be found in Linear A tablets, an early writing system used during the Minoan period. One notable reference is found on the Zakros ZA 11 tablet, where the word kana (Linear B: meri) is used to denote honey, and the word for wine (combined with honey) is recorded as “honey wine.” This suggests that honey and wine were frequently traded commodities, and the use of honey as a sweetener had become widespread by around 1500 BCE.

Trade and Commodity Exchange

The trade of honey and bee products was not confined to Minoan islands; it extended to the broader Mediterranean region. The Phaistos Disc, a clay disc from the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, provides crucial insights into the trade network of the era. The disc, dated to around 1600 BCE, indicates the exchange of beeswax and honey across various regions, with destinations including Assyria, Cyprus, and the islands around Astypalaia and Milos. This further underscores the significance of honey and bee products in ancient trade.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

The goddess Artemis, who was central to Minoan worship, symbolically represented a lunar month, and her priesthood was closely tied to the natural world, including bees. The Palm Ajyalion (Palaeo-Minoan glyptic legends), a set of seal stones and roundels inscribed with symbols, further demonstrate the importance of bees and honey in Minoan culture. Honey served as a form of currency, alongside oil and standardized metal weights, and was often stored in clay jars or used to seal pottery and seals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the exact date of the first recorded sale of honey may be uncertain, the evidence from Linear A tablets, the Phaistos Disc, and archaeological findings indicates that honey was a vital and trade-worthy commodity in Minoan times. The beekeeping practices and the cultural significance of honey in Minoan society painted a picture of a civilization deeply connected to the natural world and the economic implications of their beekeeping activities.

References

- Linear A tablet Zakros ZA 11, Linear B: meri, honey, wine: honey wine, no. 28 - Phaistos Disc - Wikipedia - Minoan Beehives. Reconstructing the practice of beekeeping in Bronze Age Crete. Apiculture conference paper, Mediterranean region incl. DNA studies. - Zakros ZA 11 - Phaistos Disc - _2018-1-Beekeeping in prehistoric Greece.pdf - _in_mediterranean.pdf - Truth lies in the details: Identifying an apiary in the miniature wall painting from Akrotiri, Thera