What it’s about
Archeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in southern Spain, unearthing a 2000-year-old bottle of liquid wine from a Roman burial site in Carmona. This extraordinary find surpasses the age of any previously discovered wine, including the ‘Speyer Wine Bottle,’ which is thought to be around 1700 years old.
Why it matters
The discovery of this ancient Roman wine provides an exceptional glimpse into the rituals and daily life of the Roman Empire. It also accentuates the technological prowess and academic perseverance of modern archeologists in unrevealing such historical artifacts. This opens broader discussions on the preservation of organic materials over millennia.
Details of the Find
During excavations in 2019, researchers from the University of Cordoba discovered a burial urn containing a reddish liquid within a Roman necropolis. Upon chemical analysis, it was confirmed that the substance was indeed wine produced nearly 2000 years ago.
Significance of the Ritual
The ritualistic use of wine in Roman burials is well-documented. The inclusion of wine, along with other foods, in burial rites reflects the cultural significance of wine in Rome. This discovery adds tangible evidence to our understanding of Roman customs and substantiates textual references regarding their burial practices.
Chemical Analysis
Researchers determined that the wine had become extraordinarily acidic over time, highlighting its likely decay. Further analysis revealed that the reddish hue resulted from chemical reactions between the wine, cremated materials, and the glass of the burial urn, deducing that the original wine was white.
Cultural Importance
This find underscores the rich history of viticulture in the Mediterranean, particularly in Spain, complementing ancient texts describing the activity in the region. While the exact details about the ‘Speyer Wine Bottle’ from 1700 years ago remain unconfirmed, this more recent discovery illustrates the intricate and active wine culture maintained by the Romans.
This story was first published on jpost.com.