World's Oldest Wine Discovered in 2,000-Year-Old Roman Tomb in Spain

In a remarkable archaeological find, scientists in Spain have uncovered what is now recognized as the world's oldest known liquid wine, preserved for nearly 2,000 years inside a Roman-era funerary urn. 

This extraordinary discovery occurred during a house construction project in Carmona, a town nestled in the province of Seville, in 2019.

The wine, described by researchers as a "reddish liquid," was found mixed with cremated ashes inside the sunken tomb, which had remained undisturbed within rock for millennia. 

This preservation allowed the wine to maintain its liquid state, an exceptionally rare occurrence in the study of ancient artifacts, as typically such organic materials decay over time.

José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola, an organic chemist from the University of Córdoba and a senior author of the study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports on June 16, 2024, remarked on the unexpected nature of the find. 

He explained to The Guardian that while the use of wine in Roman burial rituals is well-documented, discovering a liquid sample of wine this old was both exceptional and unforeseen.

The analysis of the ancient wine involved sophisticated techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. 

These methods allowed scientists to identify specific chemical compounds, including polyphenols, which act as unique markers reflecting the grape variety and environmental conditions of the region where the wine was produced.

Historical context and comparison with modern wines suggested that the ancient liquid resembled fino wines typical of southern Spain, particularly from regions like Doña Mencía in Córdoba. 

Intriguingly, despite its reddish appearance, the absence of syringic acid—a compound produced by red wine as it decomposes—indicated that the original wine was likely white.

The preservation of polyphenols in the wine sample provided crucial evidence confirming its identity as wine, despite the considerable decay typical of ancient organic materials. 

Microbiological analyses assured that, remarkably, the ancient wine posed no toxicity risks, though caution prevailed as the researchers refrained from tasting it.

This discovery stands out among previous analyses of ancient wines, which typically focused on dried remnants rather than liquid samples. 

For instance, earlier findings in the Republic of Georgia included 8,000-year-old traces of tartaric acid on clay jugs. 

However, the liquid nature of the Carmona discovery sets it apart as a singular glimpse into ancient Roman burial practices and viticulture.

As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries surrounding this ancient wine, the implications for archaeology, history, and oenology (the study of wine) are profound. 

The find not only enriches our understanding of Roman funerary customs but also provides a tangible link to the past, offering a rare glimpse into the daily life and rituals of ancient civilizations.

In conclusion, the discovery of the world's oldest liquid wine in a 2,000-year-old Roman tomb in Spain represents a landmark achievement in archaeological research, demonstrating the enduring cultural significance of wine in human history and highlighting the ongoing importance of preserving and studying our shared heritage.