Scientists in Spain have made an intriguing discovery of the world’s oldest wine, a 2,000-year-old white wine containing a man’s ashes. This remarkable find comes from an ancient tomb in Carmona, a town in southwestern Spain, where researchers at the University of Córdoba unearthed the wine inside a funeral urn.
The tomb was initially discovered in 2019 and is believed to have belonged to individuals named Hispana, Senicio, and four others, two men and two women whose identities remain unknown. The study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science revealed that one of the men’s skeletal remains were submerged in a liquid inside a glass funerary urn, which has maintained a reddish tone since the 1st century AD.
Juan Manuel Román, the municipal archaeologist of the Carmona City Council, led the investigation that identified this ancient wine as the oldest discovered to date, surpassing the Speyer wine bottle from the 4th century AD. The well-preserved condition of the tomb played a crucial role in keeping the wine intact over the centuries, maintaining its natural state.
The significance of wine covering the man’s remains points to the exclusivity of wine consumption by men in ancient Roman society, as women were traditionally prohibited from indulging in wine. This unique discovery sheds light on ancient burial practices and cultural norms of the time.
For further insights into the 2,000-year-old wine uncovered in Spain, visit the official website for more information. This fascinating discovery highlights the rich history and archaeological treasures waiting to be unearthed.