Turkish Archaeologists Stumble upon 1,600-Year-Old Wine Factory Near Ancient Castle
Deep in southeastern Turkey's mountainous region, near the village of Oymakli, a team of archaeologists has unearthed an astonishing ancient wine production center dating back approximately 1,600 years. The discovery was announced by the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier this month.
Located close to Kahta Castle, a 2nd-century B.C. fortress built for the Kingdom of Commagene, a Greek-Iranian monarchy, the facility has revealed itself remarkably well-preserved despite being constructed with irregular stones. Provincial museum director Mehmet Alkan described the site's foundations as having "survived remarkably well," hinting at the presence of an industrial-scale wine production operation during the Roman era.
Excavations led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism have uncovered a sprawling 37-acre settlement, complete with installations for processing grapes, cisterns for supplying water, and grinding stones. While not definitively proven as a residential area, Alkan suggested that the facility may also have served as a local residence at some point.
Dating back to the 4th century, this ancient wine production center coincides with the period when Christianity was spreading in Turkey and Constantinople emerged as a hub of power. The discovery serves as another testament to Turkey's rich cultural heritage, shedding light on the country's pivotal role in shaping the history of the Mediterranean region.
Following its excavation, officials plan to continue exploring the site and registering it as a protected archaeological area, adding to the growing list of ancient discoveries made in Turkey over recent months.
Deep in southeastern Turkey's mountainous region, near the village of Oymakli, a team of archaeologists has unearthed an astonishing ancient wine production center dating back approximately 1,600 years. The discovery was announced by the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier this month.
Located close to Kahta Castle, a 2nd-century B.C. fortress built for the Kingdom of Commagene, a Greek-Iranian monarchy, the facility has revealed itself remarkably well-preserved despite being constructed with irregular stones. Provincial museum director Mehmet Alkan described the site's foundations as having "survived remarkably well," hinting at the presence of an industrial-scale wine production operation during the Roman era.
Excavations led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism have uncovered a sprawling 37-acre settlement, complete with installations for processing grapes, cisterns for supplying water, and grinding stones. While not definitively proven as a residential area, Alkan suggested that the facility may also have served as a local residence at some point.
Dating back to the 4th century, this ancient wine production center coincides with the period when Christianity was spreading in Turkey and Constantinople emerged as a hub of power. The discovery serves as another testament to Turkey's rich cultural heritage, shedding light on the country's pivotal role in shaping the history of the Mediterranean region.
Following its excavation, officials plan to continue exploring the site and registering it as a protected archaeological area, adding to the growing list of ancient discoveries made in Turkey over recent months.