Recent excavations in northern Israel have unearthed what researchers believe are the oldest intact beehives ever found.

The 3,000-year-old apiary contains the remnants of at least 30 beehives, including honeycombs and beeswax.

The cylindrical hives, made of clay and straw, are about 32 inches (80 cm) long and 16 inches (40 cm) wide.

They have a small hole at one end for the bees to enter and exit, and a lid on the opposite end for beekeeper access.

Domesticated beehives and the practice of beekeeping are depicted in ancient texts and artworks from the Middle East, but researchers have lacked hard evidence of their existence.

The hives, found near Tel Rehov in the Beth Shean Valley, date to the early 9th century B.

C.

, and reveal that a sophisticated beekeeping industry existed in the region.

The honey was used for food as well as for medicinal and religious purposes.

The ancient apiary contained as many as 100 hives, enough to produce about a half-ton of honey per year.

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