Archaeologists have found evidence that people may have produced beer at a prehistoric settlement in Bulgaria about 6,500 years ago, making it potentially one of the earliest known examples of brewing in Europe. The discovery came during excavations at Provadia-Solnitsata in the northeastern part of the country. The prehistoric complex, occupied between about 5600 and 4350 B.C., developed around large-scale salt production.
Researchers found a broken vessel containing grains of einkorn wheat inside a house destroyed by fire. The grains had sprouted in a way associated with making malt, a key step in brewing beer. Botanist Elena Marinova studied the remains. Excavation leader Vasil Nikolov said the evidence points to possible beer production around 4500 B.C.
The discovery predates evidence that ancient Greeks were brewing beer during the Bronze Age by more than two millennia. At Greek sites including Archontiko and Argissa, archaeologists have also found sprouted cereal grains interpreted as evidence of prehistoric brewing.
Salt created a wealthy prehistoric settlement
This summer’s excavations also revealed more about daily life at Provadia-Solnitsata. Archaeologists investigated a house measuring about 35 square meters and found evidence of a large basement. Nikolov said houses uncovered at the settlement had two or three stories. Residents stored valuable salt on the lower level and lived above it.
Researchers also found ceramic molds used to produce standardized salt blocks. Nikolov believes blocks of different sizes may have represented different values and effectively served as a form of currency between about 4700 and 4350 B.C. About 400 people, including children, lived within the fortified settlement, according to Nikolov. He believes workers from nearby communities likely helped produce salt, grow food, and maintain the defenses.
Archaeologists in Bulgaria have found sprouted einkorn wheat dating to around 4500 B.C., potentially offering some of Europe's earliest evidence of beer brewing.
The discovery was made at the prehistoric settlement of Provadia-Solnitsata. pic.twitter.com/QDu6pZpst2
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) September 22, 2026
Other finds include a polished stone that may have helped craftsmen make pottery before the introduction of the potter’s wheel. A perforated ceramic vessel may have been used to churn butter. Numerous arrowheads, a spearhead, and a pointed flint object were also recovered. The weapons add to evidence that the wealthy settlement faced threats and required substantial fortifications.
Fragments of painted plaster appeared in nearly every house under excavation. Bone and ceramic figurines also provided clues about the community’s religious practices.
Thracian remains reveal another chapter
Thousands of years later, the site was reused by a Thracian aristocrat. The Thracians inhabited large areas of southeastern Europe, including much of modern Bulgaria, northern Greece and parts of present-day Turkey.
Archaeologists uncovered part of a massive wall with a stone foundation, a tall gateway, a house, ritual pits and a grave. The discoveries add to recent archaeological evidence of elite Thracian life and burial traditions in Bulgaria.
Researchers also found unusual drawings on white-coated mud brick. Nikolov said he knew of no direct parallel for the first-century B.C. wall decoration. Another stone near the grave carried engravings apparently made with a sharp tool. The images show a deer and two does, while a less distinct figure may represent a horse.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
