Show Notes
In this fascinating episode, host Lauren Dogaer sits down with Professor Tate Paulette of North Carolina State University, a leading expert in ancient urban food systems and Mesopotamian archaeology. Together, they explore the world of ancient Mesopotamia - often called the cradle of civilization - where the first cities, states, and writing systems emerged around 3000 BC. Tate unpacks the complexities of the region’s identity, from its modern name shaped by colonial history to the rich tapestry of languages and scripts such as cuneiform, Sumerian, and Akkadian. The conversation then turns to a topic both ancient and surprisingly relatable: beer. Drawing on his book In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia, Tate shares his hands-on journey recreating Sumerian brewing practices using ancient ingredients and techniques - including the enigmatic bappir, a key component of Mesopotamian beer. Beyond the brewing process, the episode dives into the cultural significance of beer in Mesopotamian society. From its role in daily life and social rituals to its appearance in literature like the Epic of Gilgamesh, beer emerges as far more than a simple drink - it was a cornerstone of community, culture, and even moral storytelling. This episode offers a rich and refreshing look at how one of humanity’s oldest beverages shaped life in one of its earliest civilizations. More on Tate's Sumerian brewing experiments can be found here: Brewing up something Ancient & Human Factor Speaking Series: Alton Brown
More from Drunk On History
In the eighth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Jacob Damm, archaeologist and specialist in the ancient Levant, to explore the long and fascinating history of alcohol production and consumption in the region. Together, they examine archaeological evidence for brewing, from some of the earliest possible evidence at Raqefet Cave to Egyptian brewing traditions preserved at Jaffa and Iron Age fermentation technology. The conversation also explores how modern assumptions have shaped our understanding of ancient drinking cultures. Jacob discusses the debate over Philistine “beer jars,” the scientific analysis of ancient yeast, and why the distinction between beer and wine may not have been as clear-cut in the ancient world as we often assume. Lauren and Jacob then turn to the Hebrew Bible, exploring stories of Noah and Lot, as well as the biblical terms yayin and shekar. The episode highlights why combining archaeological, scientific, and textual evidence is essential to building a fuller understanding of ancient drinking cultures.
In the seventh episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Joshua Driscoll, an archaeologist specializing in Iron Age Europe. Together, they explore the diverse drinking cultures of Iron Age communities, from beer and mead to wine and other fermented beverages. They discuss how different drinks were produced, consumed, and associated with everyday life, feasting, ritual, and social status. The conversation then turns to the social importance of drinking and feasting. Lauren and Joshua examine how alcohol helped build relationships, reinforce alliances, and express wealth and power. They also explore the changing drinking practices that emerged as Celtic communities came into increasing contact with the Greek and Roman worlds. Drawing on archaeological evidence, they reveal a complex and diverse drinking culture that challenges the traditional divide between “Roman” and “barbarian” drinking practices, showing how local traditions and Mediterranean influences came together to shape alcohol consumption across Iron Age Europe.
In the sixth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with James McHugh, an expert in pre-modern India, Indian religion, and Sanskrit literature. Together, they explore what ancient Sanskrit texts reveal, and sometimes obscure, about alcohol consumption, moderation, and the remarkable diversity of intoxicating beverages in pre-modern India. Drinks such as sura and soma challenge the familiar beer, wine, and spirits categories often applied to other ancient civilizations. The conversation also examines the role of the state in regulating brewing, selling, and drinking alcohol, as well as how religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism shaped attitudes towards intoxication. Who could drink, what they could drink, and in whose company were all influenced by religious and social norms. Although archaeological evidence is limited, Sanskrit literature offers a rich and fascinating perspective on drinking culture, one that is unlike any of the civilizations explored in previous episodes.
In the fifth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Emlyn Dodd, archaeologist and expert on ancient wine production in the Roman world. Together, they explore the central role of wine in Roman society, from everyday consumption to its importance as a marker of status, identity, and civilisation. They also discuss the wide variety of wines produced across the empire and how Roman tastes and drinking practices evolved over time. The conversation then turns to the production of wine itself. Lauren and Emlyn examine who made Roman wine, from small-scale farmers to wealthy landowners and imperial estates, and discuss the technologies and techniques that enabled wine to be produced and distributed on an unprecedented scale across the Mediterranean. Drawing on archaeological evidence from vineyards, wineries, and elite residences, they explore how wine was embedded in Roman economic, social, and political life. From lavish banquets and religious ceremonies to imperial displays of wealth, the episode reveals how wine became one of the defining features of Roman culture and helped shape an empire.
In the fourth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Morgan Moroney, Assistant Curator of Egyptian, Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Art at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Together, they explore common assumptions about alcohol consumption in Ancient Egypt, including the idea that beer was the drink of the common people while wine was reserved for the elite. They also discuss the different scales on which beer and wine were produced during the Pharaonic period.