Palynological insights into the ecology and economy of ancient bee-products: a contribution to the history of beekeeping.

The aim of this chapter is to provide an up-to-date review of the contribution of palynology to the reconstruction of the exploitation of ancient beekeeping and bee-products. After having introduced the reader to some of the main concepts in the palynology of bee-products (§2), the available evidence from Europe and the Mediterranean basin will be presented and discussed (§3). In the concluding section (§4) the palynological approach to ancient bee-products will be conceptualized, and its limits and potentials further discussed.