Georgia’s winemaking discovery named a major finding of 2017
Tweet 
Share
The finding of the world’s earliest traces of winemaking in Georgia is among the 10 major archaeological discoveries from around the world in 2017, according to the magazine of the Archaeological Institute of America.
The discovery, made in Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli province and announced late last year, was listed in the "World Roundup” for the organisation’s magazine Archaeology.
It sits in the list alongside major excavation works, genetic studies and reconstruction efforts that dealt with archaeological topics throughout 2017.
Chemical analyses of ceramic vessels from two Early Neolithic sites in Georgia produced the earliest known evidence of grape wine and viniculture in the Near East.”
This suggests humans were producing wine as far back as about 6000 B.C., nearly 500 years earlier than previously thought”, said the summary of the entry from the magazine.
The vessels were unearthed by archaeologists at the sites of Gadachrili Gora and Shulaveris Gora, in Georgia’s south. Experts of the Georgian National Museum have worked at the sites for decades.
The unearthing of ancient jars at the locations was followed by an analysis of grape seeds and traces of acid found on them, before scientists confirmed the residue to have been formed from wine.
This gave the discovery major historical importance, dating the remains 600 years earlier than previously known wine remains from Zagros Mountains in Iran.
Other findings selected for the Archaeology list include a new genetic and linguistic study revealing genetic traces to ancient Chachapoyas tribe among population living in Peru’s north, and underwater remains of the harbour of Lechaion of ancient Corinth in Greece.
Chemical evidence of wine, dating back to 6000–5800 BC, was obtained from residues of ancient pottery excavated in the archeological sites in Georgia, Guinness world records webpage says.
The global scientific community has recognised that the oldest grape wine was made in Georgia. The newest research dated samples found in Georgia with 6000-5800 BC and proved that they were 600 years older than previously earliest-known wine remains from Iran.
Georgia’s ancient legacy of winemaking and aspirations of becoming a regional tech hub will be used to grow grapevines for prospective settlers of Mars.
The modern French galleryLa Cite du Vin in Bordeaux is gearing up to open its doors to a three-month exhibition covering the rich history of winemaking in Georgia later today.
Residents and visitors of Japan’s capital Tokyo can now learn about Georgia’s ancient winemaking traditions in an interactive exhibition bringing the history within touching distance of visitors.
Filmmaker Alexander Gabunia's art documentary Georgia - The Homeland of Wine was awarded at France's Oenovideo International Grape and Wine Film Festival, as winners of the world's largest cinema event on winemaking were revealed on Sunday.
France's winemaking-oriented Oenovideo film festival awarded its prize-winners this week, with a Georgian art documentary on the country's heritage and culture in the field among those singled out for awards.
Three venues in Massachusetts will open their doors for a historical introduction to and contemporary look at Georgian winemaking starting this Sunday, within the second edition of annual Ghvino Forum.
A team of guides helping travellers explore Georgia has released an application enabling discovery of the country's iconic wineries in virtual reality.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Thursday said the historical archaeological complex of Gadachrili Gora in south-eastern Georgia's Kvemo Kartli region would welcome visitors with new infrastructure after works on the site are completed by late 2024.