Iraqis paid with beer 5,000 years ago

Beer was considered a salary for employees in Iraq 5,000 years ago.

Clay vouchers record the payment by beer.(Photo: British Museum.)

Clay vouchers record the remuneration by beer found in today's Iraqi city of Uruk.

Images of eating bowls mean "servings ", while images of conical vessels symbolize " beer ", according to research by Alison George on News Scientist June 22.

Uruk is the land of the inhabitants of ancient Mesopotamia. This city possesses impressive architecture. People live mainly on business. They use clay plates to write letters or record the number of beer owed by the cuneiform system.

These documents are believed to be an important discovery, demonstrating the concept of employers and workers that existed thousands of years ago. The reason for paying wages in beer instead of money is still a mystery. However, employers must own a large amount of beer to be able to pay their employees' salaries.

Receiving a salary by beer is not something new in history. Some people responsible for building pyramids were also paid 4-5 liters of beer a day.