Früheisenzeitliche Met- und Biernachweise aus Süddeutschland

Abstract

Evidence of mead is given by pollen analysis from late Hallstatt period (7th-5th cen. BC) in southern Germany. At the nobles burial sites of Eberdingen-Hochdorf, Heuneburg, Glauberg, and Niedererlbach among other outstanding grave gifts residues in bronze vessels were analysed to consist of a large amount of pollen and wax indicating the ritual use of mead.
In special straight ditch structures from the early Iron Age settlement of Eberdingen-Hochdorf (early La Tène Period), a large number of evenly germinated hulled barley grains were found. This malt seems to have been the result of deliberate germination, due to the purity of the finds and the unusual archaeological structure which could have been used both for the germination and also as a drying-kiln for producing roasted malt. The Hochdorf malt most probably was produced for the purpose of beer brewing. Based on the finds as well as theoretical reflections on the early Iron Age brewing process, attempts at reconstructing the possible taste of early Celtic beer are presented.