Hispana, Senicio, and four others (two men and two women) entombed in a Roman site in Carmona never imagined their funerary rituals would be momentous 2,000 years later. In 2019, archaeologists discovered their tomb, complete with a glass urn containing a reddish liquid. This liquid, preserved since the first century AD, is now identified as the oldest wine ever found.
DISCOVERY OF THE ANCIENT TOMB
In 2019, archaeologists unearthed a Roman tomb in Carmona. Inside, they found six skeletons and a glass urn filled with a reddish liquid. The remains belonged to Hispana, Senicio, and four unnamed individuals. The urn’s liquid, preserved for 2,000 years, was a key focus for researchers.
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS CONFIRMS ANCIENT WINE
Professor José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola led a team from the University of Cordoba’s Department of Organic Chemistry to study the liquid. Their analysis, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, confirmed it as wine. Initial surprise gave way to thorough chemical tests, dispelling doubts and confirming the liquid’s identity.
TESTING FOR AUTHENTICITY
Researchers ran various tests to confirm the liquid’s identity. They analyzed pH, absence of organic matter, mineral salts, and specific chemical compounds. Comparison with modern Montilla-Moriles, Jerez, and Sanlúcar wines provided evidence that the liquid was indeed wine.
IDENTIFYING POLYPHENOLS
Polyphenols, biomarkers present in all wines, were crucial for identification. The team detected seven specific polyphenols common in modern wines. The absence of syringic acid suggested the wine was white, though degradation over time might explain this absence.
DETERMINING THE WINE’S ORIGIN
The wine’s origin was harder to pinpoint. No samples from the same period exist for comparison. However, mineral salts in the liquid matched those in current white wines from the former Betis province, particularly Montilla-Moriles wines.
FUNERARY RITUALS AND GENDER ROLES
The presence of wine in the man’s urn and not the woman’s highlights gender roles in ancient Roman society. Women were prohibited from drinking wine, a privilege reserved for men. The man’s urn also contained a gold ring and bone fragments, while the woman’s held amber jewels, perfume, and silk remains.
SIGNIFICANCE OF FUNERARY ITEMS
These items formed part of a funerary trousseau intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. In ancient Rome, death held significant meaning, and the wealthy family buried in this tomb wanted to be remembered. The tomb, originally marked with a now-missing tower, was near the road connecting Carmo to Hispalis (Seville).
IMPACT ON UNDERSTANDING ANCIENT ROME
This discovery sheds light on Roman funerary practices and gender divisions. It also provides valuable information on ancient winemaking and preservation techniques. Hispana, Senicio, and their companions have thus contributed to a deeper understanding of Roman history.
