Archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pisa have made a remarkable discovery in southern Iraq. They have uncovered the remains of a public eating space that dates back almost 5000 years in the ruins of ancient Lagash, which was an essential center of the Sumerian civilization. The discovery is significant because it provides insight into the dietary habits and social structure of this ancient civilization.
Holly Pittman, Archeologist, said, “What we understand this thing to be is a place where people – regular people – could come to eat and that is not domestic. We call it a tavern because beer is by far the most common drink, even more than water, for the Sumerians… there was a beer recipe that was found on a cuneiform tablet.”
Inside the tavern, the team of archaeologists found an oven, some benches, and an ancient clay refrigerator known as a “zeer,” which would have been used to keep food cool. The researchers also discovered leftover food in bowls and other vessels, including fish and animal bones, providing clues about the Sumerians’ diet. The presence of evidence of beer drinking suggests that this activity was widespread among the Sumerians, adding further insights into the culture and social life of this ancient civilization.
To make this discovery, the team made use of advanced technologies such as drone photography, thermal imaging, magnetometry, and micro-stratigraphic sampling. These methods allowed the archaeologists to get a better understanding of the layout and structure of the tavern and to uncover artifacts that might have been missed using traditional excavation methods.
Lagash, which was built on marsh islands, was one of the most prominent sites in southern Iraq during the 3rd millennium. It was a hub of political, economic, and religious activity, and extensive excavations by different teams of researchers have been carried out in recent years. The discovery of this public eating space provides valuable insight into the daily lives and social structure of the Sumerian people who lived in Lagash, and it adds to our understanding of the broader history of this important civilization.
