Archaeologists in the ancient Roman necropolis of Carmo, now in Spain, unearthed a wine jar from a tomb. The jar contained wine that is 2000 years old. Further investigation revealed that this wine was placed as a final drink for a Roman man buried in the tomb.
The wine was stored in a decorative glass jar that remains wet and liquid. Initially a white sweet drink, chemical tests show it has aged into a red hue over time. Microscopic human body fragments have also been discovered in the drink.
Archaeologists believe it is the world’s oldest wine, surpassing the fourth-century Speyer drink bottle by several hundred years. Juan Manuel Roman, an archaeologist, expressed surprise upon the discovery of this drink. He described the tomb as a museum containing many rare objects.
Discovered in 2019, excavation of this tomb has been ongoing, demanding precision and patience. The tomb was luxurious for its era, containing items such as Pachauli perfume, gems, jewelry, clothing, glass objects, and a large lead container. Upon opening the container, archaeologists found a sealed jar inside.
Inside the jar, archaeologists discovered liquid which turned out to be ancient wine upon investigation. During ancient times, it was common for people to place their deceased relatives’ favorite items in their graves. It is likely that the jar originally contained wine, but over time, only half of it remained due to flooding in the area.
This recent discovery has been reported in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports. Juan explained that in the past, some individuals would fill gold-studded jars with wine and place them in tombs. Others would include a replica of the Roman god Janus, who symbolized time in ancient Rome.
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