Wine first appears in Egyptian pictographs around 4000 BCE. By the beginning of the dynastic period (c. 3100 BCE) pictographs of both wine and beer making and drinking were commonplace. Wine was the drink of the rulers while beer was a staple for labourers. Alcoholic beverages were used not only for pleasure but also for nutrition, medicinal purposes and religious rituals.
Source: Gately, I. (2008). Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol. New York: Gotham Books.
| Drugs: | Alcohol |
|---|---|
| Regions: | Africa, Middle East, Egypt |
| Topics: | Cultural factors (social, religious, ritual), Medicinal use of drugs |
