Today, I visited the Albany Institute of History and Art to visit the famed mummy of Ankhefenmut. Adjoining the sarcophagus exhibit was a very tastefully-done exhibit of potteries and vessels from Ancient Egypt, with some excellent context around beer and wine.
Below are some items of interest regarding materials and vessel shapes. Beer in ancient Egypt was of a much lower proof (ethanol content) than modern beer, but the alcohol made such solutions safe to drink.
Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11, ca 2008-1959 B.C.
Tomb model of a woman making beer. Bread and water were mixed in this vessel.
Middle Kingdom, ca. 2055-1650 B.C.
Model basket used to carry bottles of beer and long loaves of conical bread.
New Kingdom, ca. 1550-1069 B.C.
Beer Jar ceramic
New Kingdom ca 1550-1069 B.C.
Ceramic flask for serving wine
Late Period ca 664-332 B.C.
Ceramic Bes Jar, used to serve beer.
Archaic Period, Dynasty 1, ca 3000-2890 B.C.
Alabaster calcite jar, used to store scented oils and ointments
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