Researchers discover the world's oldest wine in Rome
Researchers have recently made a groundbreaking discovery in Rome, unearthing the world's oldest wine. This extraordinary find consists of a white wine, over 2,000 years old, believed to have originated in Andalusia. The wine was found within the funerary tomb of Hispana, Senicio, and four other individuals in Carmona, excavated in 2019. The preserved liquid, which now possesses a reddish hue, has been analyzed and confirmed by a team of experts from the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of Cordoba.
The archaeological significance of the wine's preservation is remarkable. The tomb, untouched and well-sealed for two millennia, provided exceptional conditions for the wine to maintain its natural state. No floods, leaks, or condensation processes disrupted its conservation, allowing it to retain its unique properties. This finding surpasses the renowned Speyer wine bottle, discovered in 1867 and dated to the fourth century AD, which is currently exhibited at the Historical Museum of Pfalz in Germany.
The research team faced the challenge of confirming that the reddish liquid indeed constituted wine. Extensive chemical analyses were conducted at the University of Cordoba's Central Research Support Service (SCAI) and documented in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. These tests examined pH levels, organic matter, mineral salts, and specific chemical compounds associated with the glass of the urn or the bones of the deceased. Through comparisons with contemporary Montilla-Moriles, Jerez, and Sanlúcar wines, conclusive evidence substantiated the presence of wine in the tomb.
Identifying polyphenols, specific compounds found in all wines, proved vital in the wine's classification. Using a specialized technique capable of identifying minute quantities, the research team detected the presence of seven distinctive polyphenols also found in modern Montilla-Moriles, Jerez, and Sanlúcar wines. Moreover, the absence of a particular polyphenol, syringic acid, indicated that the wine was white. Although degradation over time might explain the missing acid, this finding is consistent with bibliographic, archaeological, and iconographic sources related to white wine production in the former province of Betis, notably Montilla-Moriles.
The tomb's fascinating contents shed light on Roman society's gender divisions during funerary rituals. The fact that only the man's skeletal remains were immersed in the wine is no coincidence, as women in ancient Rome were commonly prohibited from drinking it. The two glass urns within the Carmona tomb symbolize the gender disparities of the time. Alongside the man's remains, the wine enveloped a gold ring and other bone fragments from his funeral pyre. On the other hand, the urn containing the woman's remains did not contain any wine; instead, it safeguarded three amber jewels, a perfume bottle infused with a patchouli scent, and preserved fabric suspected to be silk, based on preliminary analyses.
These various elements formed a funerary trousseau intended to accompany the deceased on their journey into the afterlife. Death held profound meaning in ancient Rome, prompting individuals to seek remembrance and a sense of continuity. The circular mausoleum housing the tomb, situated along a significant road connecting Carmo with Hispalis (present-day Seville), once marked by a now-vanished tower, likely belonged to a wealthy family.
The enduring memory of Hispana, Senicio, and their companions has unexpectedly resurfaced after two millennia of obscurity. Through their discovery, valuable insights into the funerary practices of ancient Rome have been obtained, and the liquid in the glass urn can now undoubtedly lay claim to being the oldest wine in the world. This remarkable find uncovers a tangible connection to the past and unveils new aspects of ancient Roman culture for today's world to admire.