The rolling landscapes of Neolithic Britain, with its monumental stone circles and ritual sites, were home to some of the earliest feasting traditions. Among the many foodstuffs and beverages consumed by these prehistoric people, one drink stands out as particularly special—mead. Our Neolithic Midwinter candle is inspired by this golden, honey-based alcoholic drink, often referred to as the “nectar of the gods".
Mead: The Oldest Alcoholic Beverage?
Mead is thought to be one of the earliest fermented drinks ever created, with evidence of its production dating back to at least 7000 BCE in China. In Britain, traces of fermented honey drinks have been discovered at Neolithic archaeological sites, suggesting that early Britons may have been enjoying mead long before beer or wine became common. While we lack written records from the Neolithic period (roughly 4000–2500 BCE in Britain), archaeological finds give us tantalizing clues about how mead might have been consumed at feasts and rituals.
Feasting in the Neolithic UK
Feasts played a crucial role in Neolithic society. They were not just about sustenance but served as a means of reinforcing social bonds, cementing alliances, and honoring ancestors or deities. Evidence from sites like Durrington Walls, near Stonehenge, suggests that large gatherings involved the consumption of significant quantities of food and drink, including animal feasting and, possibly, mead drinking.
Pottery shards from Neolithic settlements and ceremonial centers have been found with residues of fermented honey, suggesting that mead may have been an integral part of these events. The presence of ceremonial monuments near feasting sites further supports the idea that these gatherings were tied to religious or spiritual practices.
How Was Neolithic Mead Made and Drunk?
Unlike today’s carefully brewed meads, Neolithic mead-making would have been a more spontaneous process. Early Britons likely relied on wild fermentation, where naturally occurring yeast from the environment helped transform honey diluted with water into an alcoholic drink. They may have enhanced the flavor with herbs, berries, or even tree resins—ingredients commonly used in later European mead-making traditions.
As for drinking vessels, Neolithic people would have used ceramic bowls or possibly even wooden cups, given the absence of glassware at that time. Some archaeologists speculate that communal drinking—passing around a single vessel—may have been a common practice, reinforcing the social and ritual aspects of feasting.
Mead, Rituals, and Stonehenge
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking mead to ritual feasting comes from the area surrounding Stonehenge. Durrington Walls, a massive Neolithic settlement, appears to have been a hub of seasonal feasting, particularly during the winter solstice. Analysis of pottery found at the site has shown residues of fermented honey, milk, and animal fats—suggesting a diverse and rich diet complemented by mead.
The link between mead and ancient British spirituality is further reinforced by the continued association of mead with druidic and pagan traditions in later centuries. It is not a stretch to imagine that the Neolithic inhabitants of Britain viewed mead as a sacred or celebratory beverage, perhaps even one that aided in communing with ancestors or deities.
A Tradition That Endures
Though the Neolithic era ended thousands of years ago, the tradition of drinking mead has persisted. From medieval banquets to modern craft meaderies, the love of fermented honey has never truly disappeared. When we raise a glass of mead today, we may be echoing the actions of our distant ancestors, celebrating life, community, and tradition just as they did in the shadow of Stonehenge.
So, the next time you sip a golden goblet of mead, or light our Neolithic Midwinter candle take a moment to imagine the ancient Britons gathered around their feasting fires, drinking in the warmth of their shared history.