A recent discovery of the world’s oldest wine in a Roman tomb in Spain has uncovered a surprising revelation about ancient Roman rituals. Archaeologists made the announcement earlier this year after finding a mysterious liquid inside a 2,000-year-old glass urn of Andalusian origin. The urn, discovered in 2019 in a Roman tomb in Carmona, was identified as the oldest wine ever found, with the added twist of containing a man’s cremated bones.
Researchers have now revealed that the liquid, dating back to the first century AD, was indeed wine. By conducting various chemical analyses to assess pH, organic matter, and salt content, scientists confirmed the presence of wine in the glass urn. The unique discovery predates a bottle of Speyer wine from the fourth century AD, shedding new light on ancient winemaking practices.
The key to identifying the liquid as wine lay in the detection of specific polyphenol compounds found in wines. Scientists found seven polyphenol compounds present in contemporary Montilla-Moriles, Jerez, and Sanlúcar wines, establishing the ancient liquid’s identity as wine. However, determining the exact origin of the ancient wine presents a challenge due to the lack of samples from that era for comparison.
The presence of cremated bones immersed in the wine offers insight into first-century funerary practices in the region. Archaeologists noted that the man’s remains found in the urn, along with a gold ring, suggest a deep connection to ancient Roman customs. The inclusion of the man’s ashes in the wine aligns with the societal gender divisions of ancient Rome, where women were forbidden from drinking wine as it was considered a beverage exclusively for men.
In another urn found in the same tomb, the remains of a woman were discovered without any wine. Instead, the urn contained three amber jewels, a bottle of perfume with a patchouli scent, and silk fabric remnants. These items were believed to be placed in the tomb as part of a funerary tradition, reflecting the ancient belief that the deceased would require them in the afterlife.
The recent findings provide a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Roman world, showcasing the intricate rituals and beliefs surrounding wine and funerary practices. As further research unfolds, the discovery of the world’s oldest wine continues to captivate archaeologists and historians alike, offering a unique window into the past.