Beekeeping in the ancient world was a lucrative if somewhat complicated art. Meeting the optimum conditions for bees was a Herculean task: the climate had to be warm but not sweltering, with hives located near reliable food sources and water supplies. Separating the bees from their honey was also demanding. Dry dung mixed with coal was burnt in a pot and the smoke was poured into the hive to force the bees out. Once the combs were gathered they had to be drained of honey and kept out of reach of the angry bees.
