What is the earliest date for which there evidence of production ethyl alcohol?
Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest production of ethyl alcohol likely dates back to the Neolithic period, around 10,000 to 8,000 BC. Evidence from archaeological sites in China, including pottery vessels and residues, indicates the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages made from fermented grains and fruits during this time. Similarly, in the ancient Middle East, there is evidence of beer brewing from fermented barley dating back to around 7,000 BC. These findings suggest that the production of ethyl alcohol through fermentation was practiced independently in different parts of the world during the Neolithic period.