The history of mead is a fascinating journey that spans millennia, intertwining with the development of human civilization and leaving an enduring mark on various cultures. Mead, referred to as the "nectar of the gods" by ancient Greeks, has a storied past filled with rich traditions and cultural significance.
Mead's origins can be traced back over 20,000 years to the African continent. Feral bees, honey, and osmotolerant yeasts were key elements in the spontaneous fermentation process that gave rise to early forms of mead. It is believed that as nomadic peoples migrated out of Africa and into the Mediterranean around 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, they carried with them bees, honey, and the knowledge of mead-making.
Earliest Evidence of Mead
7000 - 6600 B.C. Northern China
The earliest evidence of mead was found on pottery fragments in an early Neolithic period village in the Henan province of China.
2800–1800 B.C. Britain
Evidence of mead was found on pottery fragments from the Bell Beaker Culture in Britain.
1250–1000 B.C. Northern China
Evidence of mead was found in bronze vessels in the Henan province of China.
Earliest Written Records of Mead
2000 B.C. Western Steppe
The earliest written record of mead that has survived is in the hymns of the Rigveda, a Vedic religious text. The exact location of its origin is unknown, however it is believed to have originated in the Western Steppe or Eastern Europe.
84 – 322 B.C. Greece
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, described mead from Illiria in his work "Meteorologica", a treatise that proposed the universe is spherical, and that our world is comprised of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.
23 - 79 C.E. Roman Empire
Mead is discussed in "Naturalis Historia" by Pliny the Elder, a.k.a Gaius Plinius Secundus, a Roman natural philosopher.
60 C.E. Roman Empire
Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, a Hispanic-Roman naturalist and agricultural writer included a recipe for mead in his work "De Re Rustica".
500 - 550 C.E. Ireland
"Cnoc na Teamhrach" a.k.a "The Hill of Tara" is a protected national monument in County Meath, Ireland. It is an ancient Irish burial site with twelve monuments. Tradition and Irish mythology refer to it as the inauguration site for the High Kings of Ireland and reference a banquet hall on the Hill of Tara called "Tech Mid Chuarda" or "House of the Circling Mead".
550 C.E. Wales
"Kanu y med" or "Song of Mead" is a poem by the early medieval Welsh bard Taliesin. It refers to celebratory warriors drinking mead and feasting in mead halls.
550 C.E. Scotland
"Y Gododdin" is a poem by Aneirin, an early medieval bard or court poet from the Brittonic kingdom of Gododdin, the seat of which is present day Edenborough. This poem also refers to boasting warriors drinking mead in mead halls.
975 - 1025 C.E. Scandinavia
The most well known historical references to mead come from the Old English epic poem Beowulf. In the beginning of the story, the king of the Danes needs a hero to defeat a monster that has been terrorizing Heorot, the kings mead hall.
Mead & The Vikings
Vikings associated mead with strength and valor, weaving it into their cultural rituals and celebrations. The Norse served mead during major feasts, such as those celebrating the harvest, mid-winter, and mid-summer. The consumption of mead was highly ritualized, with specific practices for serving, often using intricate drinking horns or elaborately decorated silver cups.
Mead plays a prevent role in Norse mythology, particularly the Mead of Poetry, a powerful and transformative elixir associated with the acquisition of poetic and scholarly inspiration. It was said that the drink bestowed total understanding of the world to the consumer. In the tale, Odin goes to great lengths to obtain the Mead of Poetry in order to become an all knowing God.
In Viking beliefs, those who made it to Valhalla, the afterlife for warriors, were said to be greeted with mead bore by Valkyrie's as a reward for dying an honorable death in battle. There is no question about the significance of mead to a culture who is promised it in the afterlife.
What is a Valkyrie?
In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is a female figure who serves the god Odin. The name "Valkyrie" is derived from Old Norse, where "valkyrja" translates to 'chooser of the slain.' Valkyries were believed to be maidens sent by Odin to the battlefields to select warriors who had died bravely and were deemed worthy of a place in Valhalla, Odin's hall. Valkyrie's would lead the chosen fallen to Valhalla, where they would be served mead.
Valkyries were often depicted as powerful and supernatural beings. They rode horses, wore helmets and shields, and in some accounts, they were said to fly through the air and sea. Some Valkyries had the ability to influence the fate of warriors, determining whether they lived or died in battle. Additionally, Valkyries were associated with qualities such as fairness, brightness, gold, and, inevitably, bloodshed.
Outside of their role in selecting warriors for Valhalla, Valkyries were also portrayed as lovers of heroes and other mortals. Overall, Valkyries played multifaceted roles in Norse mythology, serving both as agents of Odin's will in battle and as figures intertwined with themes of fate, death, and heroic love.
Mead during the Middle Ages
In medieval times, mead played a significant role in the daily life and culture of people. It was a common drink served during feasts, weddings, and celebrations. The sweet and intoxicating nature of mead made it a symbol of joy, festivity, love and fertility.
Mead features prominently in medieval literature, poetry, and folklore, often symbolizing hospitality, abundance, and merriment. It appears in epic tales, sagas, and mythological stories, further cementing its cultural significance and enduring appeal.
Legend has it that the "honeymoon" originated in the middle ages and got its name because newlywed couples would drink mead on their wedding night.
Mead was also used for its perceived medicinal properties. In medieval times, honey was valued for its health benefits, and was considered a remedy for various ailments. It was often used to treat throat infections and coughs. Honey does in fact have antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties.
“The perfect drink, it turns out-whether it be mind-altering, medicinal, a religious symbol, a social lubricant, or artistic inspiration-has not only been a profound force in history, but may be fundamental to the human condition itself.”
~ Patrick McGovern, Archeologist
Author: Isaac Pruna