Ancient wine shop unearthed in Greece: Abandoned for 1600 years in mystery
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient wine shop in Greece (Collage by RBC-Ukraine)
In Greece, archaeologists have discovered an ancient wine shop left under mysterious circumstances. It was located within a large structure in the city of Sicyon, which is now part of modern southern Greece. The building dates back over 1600 years, according to Smithsonian magazine.
The wine shop from the Roman era, discovered by archaeologists, was destroyed by some sudden events, as the owners left it hastily.
Scott Gallimore, an archaeologist from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, and Martin Wells, a classical scholar from Austin College, presented their findings at the annual meetings of the Archaeological Institute of America in Chicago earlier this month.
Inside the wine shop, researchers found marble countertops, shattered ceramics, and around 60 bronze coins. Many coins were minted during the rule of Constantius II, which lasted from 337 to 361 CE.
"The coins were all found on the floor of the [shop], scattered across the space. This seems to indicate that they were being kept together as some type of group, whether in a ceramic vessel or some type of bag. When the [shop] was destroyed, that container appears to have fallen to the floor and scattered the coins," explained Gallimore.
Experts cannot say what mysterious event forced the owners of the shop to leave the building. However, they believe that the collapse of the structure could have been caused by an earthquake or hazardous weather conditions.
.jpg)
Archaeologists have discovered a 1600-year-old wine shop that was destroyed by a mysterious catastrophe. / Photo: Scott Gallimore
Archaeologists have discovered a 1600-year-old wine shop that was destroyed by a mysterious catastrophe. / Photo: Scott Gallimore
According to researchers, the shop likely sold not only wine but also other products such as olive oil. This place was part of a complex that included rooms with ovens and tools for pressing grapes and olives. The larger complex was also abandoned and left behind.
"Wine played a vital role in ancient Roman culture across upper- and lower-class communities, though it was an especially 'huge source of wealth for the Roman elite'. They owned vast amounts of land dedicated to viniculture [and] winemaking, and they were selling it all across the Mediterranean. But at the same time, wine permeates the whole culture and society—it’s used in religion, medicine, in daily life. It was the main beverage when water wasn’t safe to drink," explained archaeologist Emlyn Dodd.
Archaeologists have discovered a 1600-year-old wine shop that was destroyed by a mysterious catastrophe. / Photo: Scott Gallimore
Earlier, we reported that archaeologists found burials from the Ice Age.
We also wrote about a language that is spoken by only 350 people in the world.
