Honeybee Histories

Honeybee Histories

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Beekeeping in China in the mid-20th century
Beekeeping went through a significant change at the start of the 20th century, when China imported new species of bees and began to use movable frame…
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Matt Phillpott
Aristotle's description of honeybees
Aristotle offers us the earliest and most detailed description of ancient knowledge about beekeeping and honeybees. In this essay we explore some of his…
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Matt Phillpott
Thomas wildman: using bee beards to popularise knowledge about honeybees
Born in 1734, Thomas wildman used ecentric means to popularise knowledge about honeybees, even gaining the attention of the monarch! In this Honeybee…
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Matt Phillpott

June 2025

“May honey drip on You” Beliefs about honey in ancient Greece and Rome
Honey has long been known to contain important and beneficial properties. In the era of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire that knowledge imputed…
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Matt Phillpott
Did you know that about the history of Honeybees?
Exploring the connection between honeybees and warfare, mushrooms, and Cough Mixture!
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Matt Phillpott
Beekeeping in Ancient Egypt
Having examined the origins of honeybees, early human interactions in the form of honey hunting and the beginning of beekeeping, this week we explore…
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Matt Phillpott
Thomas Hill - The author of the first beekeeping manual in England
Thomas Hill (c.1528-c.1574) wrote the first beekeeping handbook in English as well as a variety of 'scientific' manuals, almanacs, and gardening…
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Matt Phillpott
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May 2025

Feng ji: an essay about Bees from 10th century China
This week we explore poems, writings of monks, and conversations, as a glimpse into beekeeping knowledge in 10th century China.
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Matt Phillpott
World Bee Day 2025: A choose your own adventure!
Every 20th May is World Bee Day, when we celebrate bees of all species across the world. As such today's post comes out a few days early to celebrate…
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Matt Phillpott
The earliest evidence for beekeeping
Where and when did beekeeping begin and how did the practice of managing bees in artificial containers emerge from honey hunting practices? In this…
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Matt Phillpott
The Leader of the Hive Part 6 – Luis Mendez de Torres and the prostitute bee
Today we think of the leader of the Hive as a Queen Bee, but in past times the Queen's sex and identity has been heavily debated. In part 6 we focus on…
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Matt Phillpott
Tree Beekeeping in Poland Part 2
In this paid subscriber essay we return to the topic of tree beekeeping in Poland, especially examining the role that Casimir III played in ensuring…
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Matt Phillpott
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