Apiculture in the Prehistoric Aegean: Minoan and Mycenaean Symbols Revisited

This study surveys the evidence for beekeeping in the Prehistoric Aegean, from references in later literature to archaeological remains of beekeeping paraphanalia, symbolic depictions in jewelry and on seals, and the evidence of folklore and mythology. Finds of hives, smoking pots, honey extractors and so-on indicate systematic Minoan apiculture, and the authors propose that contra Evans seals can be reinterpreted as depicting apiculture, rather than religious scenes, and used by overseers of beekeeping, a high-status and highly valued industry. They even go as far as to propose an origin in bee depiction for the famous double axe motifs from Knossos.