The sweet fruits of Egypt
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"The
tears of the Sun God Ra come to life" - that is what the Egyptians call
honey 3000 years BC. In hieroglyphics the bee is the symbol of the
pharaohs and the kingdom. Under Pharaoh Ramses II the officials even
receive part of their salary in honey. However, the Egyptians use honey
not just to sweeten their food. Honey is used for medical purposes and
for preserving foods. Fruits candied or preserved in honey are some of
Egypt's most important exports at this time - they are sent by ship as
far as Rome.
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Old elixir for fresh
mummies
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What
degree of perfection the Egyptians achieve in the preservation of
organic substances can be seen from the art of mummifying. Here too
apiary products play an important role. For example, honey and wax can
be detected in the bandages in which the mummified bodies are wrapped.
The mummified body itself is rubbed with a balm containing propolis.
Propolis is a resin that the bees produce in order to set the
honeycombs and fill cracks in the beehive. Propolis has disinfectant
and antibacterial effects, and thus protects the beehive against
infections - characteristically, the translation of the Greek word
"propolis" also means "defences".
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