Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

2000-Year-Old Wine Found Perfectly Preserved

Daniel Kim Views  

A 2000-year-old wine, remarkably still in liquid form, was discovered in a tomb, causing quite a stir. Originally white when buried, the wine has oxidized over centuries, turning red.

According to Euronews, the red liquid found in an ossuary under a home in Andalusia, Spain, was identified as wine from 2000 years ago.

The findings were detailed in a paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports by Professor José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola of the University of Cordoba in Spain.

The discovery was made in 2019 when a family in Carmona, a town in the Andalusian Seville, uncovered artifacts under their house during renovations and promptly reported them to the authorities.

The space, which served as a cemetery during the Roman period approximately 2000 years ago, remained untouched and preserved in its original condition.

The wall had eight recessed spaces, known as loculi, for storing ossuaries. Six of these loculi contained ossuaries made of glass, lead, limestone, and sandstone.

The wine was found in a glass flask alongside cremated bones and a gold ring. The research team confirmed that the approximately 1.32-gallon (5-liter) red liquid did not result from condensation or flooding inside the tomb and proceeded to analyze its chemical composition.

The results revealed that the liquid contained polyphenols, tannins, and benzoic acid, chemically similar to modern wine. It was identified as a type of wine similar to Sherry, a special product of the Andalusian region.

However, syringic acid, which forms when the major pigment in red wine, anthocyanin, decomposes, was not detected. This suggests the wine was originally white but oxidized over time to take on a red color.

The research team noted that while ancient wine has been found and analyzed in residues absorbed into the container walls and various debris, this is the first time a liquid wine has been analyzed. Previously, the oldest liquid wine was the Speyer wine from Germany, discovered in 1867. This wine is estimated to have been made around 325 AD, approximately 1700 years ago.

Professor Ruiz Arrebola, who led the research, jokingly suggested that senior archaeologist Juan Manuel Rojas should taste the wine. They transferred the wine into a tiny glass, noting that it was safe to taste as it was non-toxic.

He remarked, “This wine has been in contact with the cremated remains of a deceased Roman for over 2000 years, so it shouldn’t be too off-putting to drink.” The professor added, “Although the cremated bones have left the liquid cloudy, it could be filtered and drunk. However, I would prefer if someone else tried it.”

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LATEST] Latest Stories

  • Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges
  • Not Just Old Age: The Pneumonia That Affected Pope Francis’ Final Years
  • China Just Cranked U.S. Tariffs to 84% — And That’s Not the End of It
  • BMW's Next-Gen EV: The Bold New i3 Touring Concept Revealed
  • LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car: A 1,361-Piece Tribute to Ferrari’s 2024 F1 Season
  • Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 Just Took the Top Spot in J.D. Power’s EV Ownership Study

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Fake Beer, Real Buzz? What to Know Before You Sip That Zero-Proof Brew

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Trump Drops 20 Pounds but Still Loves His Fast Food

    LIFESTYLE 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Fake Beer, Real Buzz? What to Know Before You Sip That Zero-Proof Brew

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Trump Drops 20 Pounds but Still Loves His Fast Food

    LIFESTYLE 

Share it on...