Roman Beehives

Three intact examples of Roman Apiaries have been found near Xemxija in northern Malta.
Each Apiary consisted of rows of niches in a stone wall of a cave, filled with honeypots.

The Hives are in caves where a stone wall has been built over the entrance. The caves are surrounded by an area full of wild thyme bushes.
The Apiaries consist of rows of small arched niches in the stone wall and each niche was a hive.
The bees entered the Hive through a hole at the back of these niches.
Inside the Apiary, a series of terracotta pots were placed on their side in the niches.
The Bees built their honeycombs in these pots, which could later be removed.

The Beehive keeper could enter the Hive through a central doorway and tend to the Hives inside the cave.

Xemxija, Malta