Archaeologists find ancient wine factory in Israel

Archaeologists find ancient wine factory in IsraelA team of archaeologists have said that they have discovered an ancient wine-pressing factory spreading across more than 1,000 square feet in Israel among the ruins of an ancient Byzantine settlement.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said that researchers discovered a ceramic lantern shaped like a miniature church and carved with crosses, indicating that the wine factory belonged to a Christian. The discovery was made at Hamei Yo'av in Israel along the ancient settlement from the Byzantine times.

The researchers said that the wine factory contained compartments which were most likely used for keeping grapes for fermentation after they were delivered to the factory from the vineyard. A large, sloped treading floor was located at the centre of the complex for the grapes to be pressed allowing the juice to be flown into settling and collecting vats. They also found a cavity that was most likely used to create vinegar and low-grade "paupers' wine."

Dr. Rina Avner, the excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The winepress exceeded 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) in area. It consists of a large treading floor, surrounded by six compartments on the north and east. These compartments were used for fermenting grapes upon their arrival from the vineyards to produce high-quality wine."

The archaeologists with the IAA believe that the wine complex along with others d along an ancient road that led to the port of Ashkelon were used to export wine to Europe and North Africa.