2,500-Year-Old Honey Discovered in Ancient Greek Shrine Near Paestum

A sticky, amber-coloured substance found in ancient bronze jars in southern Italy has been confirmed as honey. The discovery was made in a Greek-era shrine near Paestum, around 60 kilometres south of Pompeii. Scientists used advanced chemical tests to identify the rare 2,500-year-old organic material. The honey was uncovered inside eight bronze jars, each partially filled with a waxy residue. Researchers from the University of Oxford, who led the study, analysed the substance using mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

The jars were not used for everyday storage. Instead, they likely held ritual offerings, as suggested by nearby ceremonial objects. These included a wooden table and iron rods wrapped in wool. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century BCE, though it was later repurposed for Roman ceremonies. Honey played a vital role in ancient Greek culture. It was valued for medicine, cosmetics, and religious rites. Historical records describe it being offered to gods and used in purification rituals. The survival of such fragile organic material after millennia is exceptionally rare.

The discovery confirms the long-standing tradition of honey as a sacred offering in ancient worship. Its preservation in the Paestum shrine matches accounts of ritual practices from the time. The findings provide tangible evidence of how honey was stored, used, and revered over two thousand years ago.