Alcoholic drinks from the distant past: the latest discoveries from north-eastern Poland

05 06 2026

In recent years, ritual deposits have been discovered at an archaeological site in north-eastern Poland, containing numerous fragments of richly decorated ceramic vessels dating back some 4,500 years. Analysis has shown that these fragments come from vessels which, in other parts of Europe, have been linked through chemical testing to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Researchers from the University of Warsaw and the Lodz University of Technology decided to investigate whether the ‘Polish’ specimens had also been used for such purposes. Selected fragments of 13 scientifically valuable vessels underwent specialist analysis involving the identification of organic compounds preserved within the ceramic body. A range of different substances was identified in the samples, corresponding to various sources of origin, from animal products to plant-based ones. The analysis also indicated that 9 out of 13 of the vessels examined may have come into contact with alcohol. But was it beer? It is hard to say. They could have been drinks similar to Nordic Groga – a weak, multi-flavoured fermented beverage. However, alcoholic drinks of the past were nothing like those we know today. They were much weaker, cloudy, and most likely multi-flavoured. They served to foster social integration, and perhaps even had various health benefits. In this article, we take a look behind the scenes of the above research and at the history of alcohol consumption in the distant past.

This is just an excerpt from the article. Read the full article at archeowiesci.pl »