I’ll have the 7th century Merlot, please.

Israeli archaeologists have unearthed an ancient wine press in southern Israel.  The wine press dates back 1,400 years to when the area was part of the Byzantine Empire.

The 21- by 54-foot wine press (6.5 meters by 16.5 meters) is an unusually large finding.  Excavation Director Uzi Ad of the Israeli Antiquities Authority believes the size of the artifact is an important indicator of the role the press played in the local economy.  He explained, “[The wine] was not meant for local consumption. Instead it was intended for export, probably to Egypt, which was a major export market at the time, or to Europe.”

In addition to being exceptionally large, the wine press was also advanced for its time.  Ad explained, “This is a complex wine press that reflects a very high level of technology for this period, which was acquired and improved on from generation to generation.”

The wine press also exhibits an unusual octagonal shape.  While its shape is less practical than the square or circular  design typical to the time period, Ad believes the press was designed this way simply for aesthetic reasons.

The site, near Kibbutz Hafetz Haim, will be preserved and opened to the public.

For more information and pictures of the wine press, click here.

Photo by RaeA on flickr used under Creative Commons License.

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