This is applied archaeology at its best:
Two hungover scientists decided to test their theory that some Bronze age trenches were made to brew beer.
From the Wired story:
Then they repurposed a cattle trough, filling it with water and placing it in a clay-lined hole. Using granite stones toasted in a nearby fire, the pair heated the water until it was steaming but not bubbling — according to the brewers they consulted, 153 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for breaking down starch into sugar. Then they scooped in barley. After bringing the concoction to a boil, they transferred it to containers, added bog myrtle, meadow sweet, and, of course, yeast — all ingredients available to Bronze Age boozers.
These intrepid truth-seekers knew they were on to something after they got drunk on their dirty trench beer.
Thanks to Archeoblog for the lead.
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3 comments:
Make you wonder how many failed experiments the ancient brewers went through before they finally got it right.
yes, i have a feeling, scientifically speaking, that dirty trench beer has a mean hangover.
I just can't get over the grant proposal these sherd diggers must have put together allowing them to get wasted and paid in an Irish ditch. I gotta say, I'm impressed.
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