#12: Domesticated Bees in Ancient Egypt and Mesoamerica
The ancient Egyptians were the first known civilization to practice beekeeping, with evidence dating back to the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Honey was integral to Egyptian religious rituals, used as offerings to both gods and the dead, reflecting its cultural and spiritual significance. Beekeeping in Mesoamerica began with the Mayans around 2000 years ago, who domesticated stingless bees, a species that still produces honey today in tropical regions.
