5000-Year-Old Pharaonic wine jars found intact at Abydos
The Egyptian-German-Austrian archaeological mission excavating the tomb of Queen Merit-Neith of the 1st Dynasty in Umm El Qa’ab at Abydos in Sohag, succeeded in uncovering hundreds of sealed jars, containing remnants of wine, in addition to uncovering a group of funerary equipment.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the archaeological team found several grave goods, including hundreds of large wine jars, some of which had intact stoppers and contained the well-preserved remains of 5000-year-old wine.
Inscriptions also indicate that Merit-Neith had been in charge of central government offices, like the treasury, which lends credence to the theory that she played a historically significant role, Waziri noted.
Dietrich Raue, Director of the German Archaeological Institute, pointed out that Merit-Neith had been the only woman with her own monumental tomb in Egypt’s first royal cemetery at Abydos and was probably the most powerful woman of her era.
Related: Beer in Ancient Egypt
Raue added that recent excavations have provided new information about this “unique woman and her era” and given rise to the speculation that Merit-Neith may have been the first female Queen in Ancient Egypt, thus predating Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. Her true identity, however, remains a mystery, he concluded.
E. Christiana Köhler, head of the mission, said that Merit-Neith’s monumental tomb complex in the desert of Abydos, which includes her own tomb as well as those of 41 courtiers and servants, was built of unfired mud bricks, mud, and timber.
Köhler added that through meticulous excavation methods and new archaeological technologies, the team demonstrated that the graves had been built in phases over a relatively long period.
“This observation, together with other evidence, radically challenges the oft-proposed but unproven idea of ritual human sacrifice in the 1st Dynasty,” she noted.
Ancient Wine Production and Consumption
The discovery of this ancient wine contributes significantly to the field of archaeology and the study of ancient civilizations. Archaeologists have long held that wine production and consumption were integral components of ancient societies, particularly among the elite.
Wine in ancient Egypt was not only a treasured beverage but also a symbol of status and power. Kings and royalty, in particular, were known for their fondness for wine, which they consumed during rituals and offered to the gods.
The finding of this 5000-year-old wine proves that these societies had advanced knowledge of wine making.
The preservation of the wine remains over such a long period is a testament to their skills and techniques. It also offers a unique glimpse into the methods and practices of wine production thousands of years ago.
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery is significant because it provides new information about the 1st Dynasty of Egypt. The kings of this era, such as Hor-Aha, are considered the first royal family to control both Upper and Lower Egypt in a unified kingdom. However, little is known about this era, and this recent discovery could provide valuable insights into the life and practices of the time.
This discovery was made in a chamber believed to have been used for the burial rituals of Egypt’s first major king. The chamber contained a cache of 200 rough ceramic beer and wine jars, indicating that wine and beer played a crucial role in the burial rituals and offerings made during these rituals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the discovery of this 5000-year-old Pharaonic wine is a significant milestone in the field of archaeology and the study of ancient civilizations.
It provides new insights into the cultural, economic, and social dynamics of these societies and underlines the essential role of wine in their religious rituals and practices. This finding also highlights the importance of archaeological research in enriching our understanding of human history and culture.
