The earliest known organized beekeeping was practiced in ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egyptians developed a form of beekeeping that involved managing honeybee colonies within specifically designed hives made from materials like twigs and reeds. These hives facilitated the controlled raising of bees, primarily the Egyptian Honeybee ( Apis mellifera lamarcki ), for honey production.
While humans likely harvested honey from wild bee colonies long before, the practice of constructing hives and managing bee colonies marks the beginning of true beekeeping. Archeological evidence, including depictions in tombs and recovered hive remnants, points to ancient Egypt as the place where this practice first took root. This allowed for a more sustainable and controlled source of honey, which was highly valued for its sweetness, medicinal properties, and religious significance.
