Discovery of the vessel. Credit: Ca' Foscari
Posted on 06/19/2016 5:23:27 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Georgian-Italian archaeological expedition of Ca' Foscari University of Venice in collaboration with the Georgian Museum of Tbilisi has discovered vine pollen in a zoomorphic vessel used in ritual ceremonies by the Kura-Araxes population.
In the archeological site of Aradetis Orgora, 100 kilometers to the west of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, Ca' Foscari's expedition led by Elena Rova (Ca' Foscari University of Venice) and Iulon Gagoshidze (Georgian National Museum Tbilisi) has discovered traces of wine inside an animal-shaped ceramic vessel (circa 3,000 BC), probably used for cultic activities.
The vessel has an animal-shaped body with three small feet and a pouring hole on the back. The head is missing. It was found, together with a second similar vessel and a Kura-Araxes jar, on the burnt floor of a large rectangular area with rounded corners, arguably a sort of shrine used for cultic activities. Results of radiometric (C14) analyses confirm that the finds date to circa 3000-2900 BC Both zoomorphic vessels are an unicum in the region.
The vessel, examined by palynologist Eliso Kvavadze, contains numerous well-preserved grains of pollen of Vitis vinifera (common grape vine), which shows wine's strategic role in the Kura-Araxes culture for ritual libations...
It's a key-finding for Georgia, where grapewine has been cultivated since the Neolithic period. Now the Georgian wine culture has been dated back to the Kura-Araxes period, more than 5,000 years ago and is still continuing: in the course of traditional Georgian banquets, the supra, wine is consumed from vessels derived from animal horns in the context of elaborated ritual toasts.
The Kura-Araxes culture (second half of the fourth and first half of the third millennium BC) is the only prehistoric culture of the Southern Caucasus which spread over large areas of the Near East, reaching Iran and the Syro- Palestinian region.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Discovery of the vessel. Credit: Ca' Foscari
I believe that was unearthed at the lost city of Atlanta
Of and for the ages ... wine ...
Beer is older- by about another 5000 years. It’s also easier to produce. The impetus to found settlements and maintain a stockpile of grain was partially influenced by the fondness for beer according to some archaeologists. Beer was important nutritionally as well. In addition to its intoxicating effects it was literally “bread in a glass (or cup)” A source of both food and potable water.
CC
the shape could be a pottery version of the skin wine container, like the Spanish ‘bota’.
Noah planted the first post flood vineyard, so wine is older than beer (at least since the Great Flood).
Athens, Georgia?
Thunderbird.
And they’re still hard drinkers today. I have traveled all over. I would have to say the Georgians are the hardest drinkers. Their entire day is planned around the hangover and the night’s party.
If anyone happens to visit or find it do yourself a favor and get some walnut liquor. And bring back a few bottles for Opie.
It’s always on my mind.
I thought beer was the drink of choice in Georgia? Oh, it’s about that other Georgia? My bad!
Underground...
Good observation!
Both were probably discovered by accident, or more accurately, happy accident. And the birth rates probably went way up right after that. ;’)
;’)
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