A handout picture released by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on February 13, 2021, shows the remains of vats used for beer fermentation, in a complex which may be the world's "oldest" high-production brewery, uncovered in the Abydos archaeological site near Egypt's southern city of Sohag. (Photo by - / Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF ANTIQUITIES- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ==

A Egyptian antiquities official claims archaeologists have discovered what might be the world’s earliest known beer factory in a few of the most prominent archaeological sites of ancient Egypt

CAIRO — Egyptian and American archaeologists have discovered what would be the earliest known beer factory in one of the most obvious archaeological sites of ancient Egypt, a leading antiquities official said Saturday.

He said the mill apparently dates back into the area of King Narmer, who’s widely known for his unification of ancient Egypt in the start of the very first Dynastic Period (3150 B.C.- 2613 B.C.).

Archaeologists discovered eight enormous units — each is 20 meters (about 65 ft ) long and 2.5 meters (approximately 8 ft ) wide. Each unit involves several 40 pottery basins in 2 rows, that was used to warm up a combination of water and sausage to create beer, Waziri said.

Adams said the mill was apparently constructed in this region to supply imperial rituals together with beer, provided that archaeologists discovered evidences demonstrating the usage of beer at sacrificial rites of early Egyptians.

British archaeologists were the first to mention the occurrence of that mill early 1900s, but they could not determine its place, the antiquities ministry stated.

Using its enormous cemeteries and temples in the first days of ancient Egypt, Abydos has been famous for monuments honoring Osiris, ancient Egypt’s god of underworld along with the deity responsible for judging spirits in the afterlife.

The necropolis was used in each period of ancient Egyptian history, from the ancient era to Roman times.

Egypt has declared dozens of historical discoveries within the last few decades, in the hope of bringing more tourists.

The tourism sector has been reeling in the political chaos following the 2011 popular uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. The business was dealt a further blow this past year from the coronavirus pandemic.