[imagesource:upenn]

Heading down to the pub for a quick beer and lunch seems to have been as popular in 2300 BC as it is today. This has become evident after a recent archaeological dig in Iraq unearthed a 5 000-year-old tavern site, complete with a stove, fridge and several benches where the ancient Iraqis surely gathered for a pint after a hard day at the office.

Researchers working in the ancient city of Lagash discovered that the pub, hidden just 19 inches below the surface, was split into an open-air dining area and a room containing benches, an oven, ancient food remains and even a 5,000-year-old fridge.

The team of archeoligists, led by field director Sara Pizzimenti, from the University of Pisa, unearthed the public house in the fall of 2022, but researchers were astounded when they found remains of food and even a 5 000-year-old ‘fridge’ amongst the ruins.

The team discovered the industrial-sized oven, a moisture-wicking ancient “fridge,” to keep food cool, and dozens of conical bowls, many containing fish remains, revealing the purpose of the courtyard to be an outdoor dining area.

[imagesource:upenn]

The town of Lagash, now called al-Hiba, was one of the major cities in southern Mesopotamia, Occupied from the 5th millennium until the middle of the 2nd millennium, it covered an area of almost two square miles.

Most of the previous excavations on the site focused on areas where the ‘elite’ were located, but Penn and her team recently moved their attention to areas where the ‘common folks’ hung out. The presence of a gathering spot such as a tavern gave them a good look at the ‘middle class’ of that time. This indicates that the kingdom was not one of tyrannical oppression, but rather a relatively normal society where different classes interacted.

The next time the missus gives me trouble for heading down to the equally ancient Perseverance Tavern, I may just be able to convince her of the historical imperative of keeping ancient traditions alive.  It’s not for me you see, it’s for future generations.

[source:cnn&upenn]