Bee Boles and Bee Houses

Description

The evolution of beekeeping can be traced in the changing shape of the beehive and in the various structures used to house and protect it. Pre-nineteenth century creations would range from simple recesses to large free-standing buildings. However, with increasing knowledge of the life cycle and requirements of the honey bee and beekeeping techniques, these older structures gradually fell into disuse. Anne Foster discusses these forgotten beehives, and explains the important role they played in the development of beekeeping. Accompanied by numerous illustrations, this book introduces the various and fascinating ways in which bees were housed, and will encourage the recording and preservation of those examples still to be found.

Anne Foster received her MA degree in Classical Archaeology in 1983 and has excavated on major sites in Britain which range in date from mesolithic to medieval and include Danebury, Hengistbury Head and Crickley Hill. She has contributed on specialist topics to several excavation reports. Her links with the International Bee Research Association and her membership of the Wiltshire Buildings Record prompted her comprehensive survey of bee boles in Wiltshire, published in 1986.