Happy National Beer, Drink Responsibly.

In western Cyprus, a mud-plaster structure located at the archaeological site of Kissonerga-Skalia has been identified as a Bronze Age kiln specifically used for drying malt in the beer-brewing process. Archaeologist Lindy Crewe from the University of Manchester, along with her team, uncovered this nearly 4,000-year-old oven, revealing layers of ashy deposits that contained carbonized fig seeds, mortars, various grinding tools, and small juglets. Among the notable finds were fragments of a large clay pot, likely a pithos, which appears to have functioned as an indirect heat source when a fire was kindled inside it within the kiln. The researchers propose that malt may have been stored in these juglets during the drying phase before being removed for subsequent brewing steps. This discovery offers significant insight into early beer production techniques and practices in the region, shedding light on the technological advancements of ancient Cypriot societies.