The octagonal press measures 6.5 meters by 16.5 meters and was discovered in southern Israel, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, according to a report in AP.
"What we have here seems to be an industrial and crafts area of a settlement from the sixth to seventh century, which was situated in the middle of an agricultural region," said excavation director Uzi Ad of the Israel Antiquities Authority. "The size of the wine press attests to the fact that the quantity of wine that was produced in it was exceptionally large and was not meant for local consumption," Ad said in a release.
The wine was probably intended for export to Egypt, then a major export market, or to Europe, he said.
An identical wine press was previously uncovered 20 kilometers away, north of Ashkelon, he added.
"This is a complex wine press that reflects a very high level of technology for this period, which was acquired and improved on from generation to generation," he said.
The juice produced from the grapes would flow from the treading floor to a distributing vat and from there through holes into two collecting vats located on either side, he said.
According to authorities, the site would be conserved and opened to the public. |