A team of archaeologists from the United States and Italy found an ancient tavern during excavations in the ruins of the city of Lagash.
At the excavation site, the remains of a clayrefrigeration system, a large oven, benches for visitors and many sets of dishes (about 150 plates). At the same time, traces and remains of food, including fish bones, were preserved in many plates.
Excavations of the territory of an ancient tavern. Image: Lagash Archaeological Project
Researchers call this place "the bar"since beer was the most common drink among the Sumerians and, probably, this public institution also could not do without it. One of the recipes for the production of such a drink, the researchers found on a clay tablet located in the temple building in the same area of the city.
Excavations of the territory of an ancient tavern. Image: Lagash Archaeological Project
Lagash occupied more than 450 hectares and was one ofthe largest settlements in the south of modern Iraq in the III millennium BC, the authors of the study note. At the same time, they believe that, in addition to political and religious significance, the city also had an industrial function. He, apparently, was a point of attraction for artisans from all over the area.
Excavations on the territory of the settlement help scientists learn more about the life of ordinary people of that period.
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On the cover: the excavation area filmed from a drone. Image: Lagash Archaeological Project