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A new research reported by Mirror UK suggests that winemaking began in Georgia at least 5,000 years ago with traces of grape pollen dating back to 3000 BC found from the world's first vineyard. This was discovered inside an animal-shaped ceramic jar used in ritual ceremonies for libation (like we use ghee as ahooti to increase fire in the wood in a Hawan ceremony in India). According to Wikipedia, libation is ritual pouring of a liquid as an offering to a god or spirit or in memory of those who have died. It was common in many religions of antiquity and continues to be offered in various cultures today (including and especially in many Hindu rituals in India).
The jar was dug up at an archaeological site 100 km west of Tbilisi, Capital of Georgia. The vessel has an animal-shaped body with three small feet and a pouring hole on the back. The head is missing. It was found with a second similar vessel and a jar on the burnt floor of a large rectangular area with rounded corners – implying some sort of shrine used for religious activities.
Scientists used a technique called radiometric (C14) analyses which dates specimens by determining proportions of chemicals to show that they go back to around 3000 BC. The vessel was examined at the Georgian Museum of Tbilisi by Dr Eliso Kvavadze. She found it contained numerous well-preserved grains of pollen of vitis vinifera – the common grape vine that is still used to make wine today.
Dr Kvavadze said it shows wine's strategic role for ritual libations during that period. The animals on both Georgian vessels could have represented gods and are a unique discovery in the region.
Professor Elena Rova, of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, described it as a significant piece of history. She reportedly said: "The context of discovery suggests wine was drawn from the jar and offered to the gods or commonly consumed by the participants in the ceremony."
The researchers said it's a key-finding for Georgia, where wine culture still continues in the course of traditional banquets called the Supra. This is a spirited, lively and overwhelming feast where wine is consumed from vessels derived from animal horns in the context of elaborate ritual toasts.
The first evidence of domesticated grapes in the form of pips has already been unearthed in the south west of the country dating back 6,000 years.
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