Image via Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Discover the captivating story of the world’s oldest unopened bottle of wine that has recently been outdone by a remarkable find in Carmona, near Seville, Spain. Unearthed in 1867 in Speyer, Germany, the previous record holder dated back to 350 AD. However, a groundbreaking discovery just five years ago revealed a bottle that predates this by approximately three centuries. According to Scientific American, an excavation team stumbled upon this historic bottle at the bottom of a shaft during construction work, nestled in a sealed burial chamber undisturbed for 2,000 years.
Chemist José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola and his team detailed their findings in a new paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. The fascinating tale of this ancient wine, delicately encapsulated in a glass urn inside a lead case, unfolds as an elaborate tribute to a Roman-era wine enthusiast.
Delve further into the complexities of this discovery as the experts uncovered bone remains and a gold ring at the bottom of the glass vessel, revealing the burial chamber’s poignant connection to Roman funeral customs. Despite the wine being unsuitable for consumption, its symbolic presence as a tribute to the deceased speaks volumes about the elaborate rituals of that era.
CBS News sheds light on the gender dynamics of the burial, showcasing how the remains in the wine belonged to a male, in adherence to the tradition of prohibiting women in ancient Rome from drinking wine. Today, as we savor our favorite wines during the summer months, let this intriguing narrative transport us to a bygone era where such luxuries were reserved for the privileged elite of the Roman Empire.
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Explore the Roman Cookbook, De Re Coquinaria, the Oldest Known Cookbook in Existence
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The Oldest Unopened Bottle of Wine in the World (Circa 350 AD)
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmmarshall or on Facebook.
