Ancient Egyptians used ‘I’m brewing’ as an excuse to skip work
An ancient tablet listing reasons why labourers constructing the pyramids were unable to work, has cited “brewing beer” as a primary excuse. The post Ancient Egyptians used ‘I’m brewing’ as an excuse to skip work appeared first on The Drinks Business.
An ancient tablet listing reasons why labourers constructing the pyramids were unable to work, has cited “brewing beer” as a primary excuse.
According to the limestone ostracon, which dates way back to 1250BCE and is currently on display with the British Museum, contains details about workers taking days off and gives an insight into ancient times.
The tablet, which according to Indy100 reports, was uncovered among many other inscribed stones in the tomb builder’s village of Deir el-Medina, which sits on the west bank of the Nile indicated that the date was “month four of Winter, day 24”.
Along with other excuses for not showing up for work, one labourer named Pennub insisted he was missing work because his mother was ill, while another, named Serba, was unable to work because he had been bitten by a scorpion. However, the most prolific excuse used, which came from a number of people who missed work on the pyramids, was because they had told their boss that they were “brewing beer” on that particular day.
According to officials at The British Museum: “In ancient Egypt, beer was so essential it was treated principally as a type of food – it was consumed daily and in great quantities at religious festivals and celebrations.
The officials explained: "Beer was an essential for labourers, like those who built the pyramids of Giza, who were provided with a daily ration of 1⅓ gallons [more than 10 pints]. Yet it still had divine status, with several Gods and Goddesses associated with beer."
In previous reports from db, an archaeological excavation in Southern Egypt led by the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago uncovering two large buildings dating to around 2400-2350 BC used to brew beer and make bread.
According to the limestone ostracon, which dates way back to 1250BCE and is currently on display with the British Museum, contains details about workers taking days off and gives an insight into ancient times.
The tablet, which according to Indy100 reports, was uncovered among many other inscribed stones in the tomb builder’s village of Deir el-Medina, which sits on the west bank of the Nile indicated that the date was “month four of Winter, day 24”.
Along with other excuses for not showing up for work, one labourer named Pennub insisted he was missing work because his mother was ill, while another, named Serba, was unable to work because he had been bitten by a scorpion. However, the most prolific excuse used, which came from a number of people who missed work on the pyramids, was because they had told their boss that they were “brewing beer” on that particular day.
According to officials at The British Museum: “In ancient Egypt, beer was so essential it was treated principally as a type of food – it was consumed daily and in great quantities at religious festivals and celebrations.
The officials explained: "Beer was an essential for labourers, like those who built the pyramids of Giza, who were provided with a daily ration of 1⅓ gallons [more than 10 pints]. Yet it still had divine status, with several Gods and Goddesses associated with beer."
In previous reports from db, an archaeological excavation in Southern Egypt led by the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago uncovering two large buildings dating to around 2400-2350 BC used to brew beer and make bread. 
