Brewing History: The Role of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia

Join us in this exciting episode of Digital Hammurabi as host Megan Lewis sits down with Dr. Tate Paulette, an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University and an expert in Near Eastern Archaeology. Dr. Paulette shares insights from his upcoming book, In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia, set to be released on August 28th in the US and November 24th elsewhere. 

In this episode, we explore Dr. Paulette's journey into the world of ancient food and drink, the fascinating process of experimental brewing and its connection to ancient Mesopotamian practices, and the role of beer in social and political contexts in ancient societies. 

Whether you're a history buff, an archaeology enthusiast, or just curious about ancient food systems, this episode is packed with engaging discussions and intriguing insights. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the history of beer in one of the world's earliest civilizations! 

Book Release Date: August 28th (US) / November 24th (Elsewhere) 

Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode! 

Disclaimer: We were provided with a free copy of the book for review purposes, however, all opinions shared are honestly held.

Chapters

• 2:56 [00:02:56] Ancient foodways and gastropolitics.
• 6:14 Brewing beer in Mesopotamia.
• 10:25 Tasting ancient beer
• 12:58 Ingredients and flavors.
• 18:15 Brewing practices and evidence.
• 22:20 Institutional vs. domestic beer brewing.
• 24:57 Social aspects of beer consumption.
• 28:00 Drinking restrictions in Mesopotamia.
• 34:05 Beer in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• 35:20 Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia.