Near East: Difference between revisions
Created page with "'''Near East''' is a historical-geographical term referring to the lands of Western Asia and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, often considered a cradle of early viticulture and winemaking. Archaeological, textual, and botanical evidence identifies the region as one of the earliest centres of Vitis vinifera domestication, with practices that shaped the later development of wine cultures in the Mediterranean and beyond.<ref>McGovern, ''Ancien..." |
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== Background == | == Background == | ||
The origins of wine are closely linked to the ancient Near East. Archaeological excavations in the southern [[Caucasus]], eastern [[Anatolia]], and the northern [[Levant]] have revealed [[grape pips]], pollen, and wine-stained [[vessel|vessels]] dating back to the Neolithic period, around 6000–5000 BCE.<ref>Unwin, ''Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade'', Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0415075370.</ref> Residue analysis of pottery jars from sites such as Hajji Firuz Tepe in Iran has provided direct chemical evidence of early winemaking. Written sources from Mesopotamia and Egypt further confirm the cultural significance of wine, often linked to ritual and elite consumption.<ref>Mazar, ''Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000–586 B.C.E.'', Doubleday, 1990, ISBN 978-0385423091.</ref> | The origins of wine are closely linked to the ancient Near East. Archaeological excavations in the southern [[Caucasus]], eastern [[Anatolia]], and the northern [[Levant]] have revealed [[grape pips]], pollen, and wine-stained [[vessel|vessels]] dating back to the Neolithic period, around 6000–5000 BCE.<ref>Unwin, ''Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade'', Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0415075370.</ref> Residue analysis of pottery jars from sites such as [[Hajji Firuz Tepe]] in [[Iran]] has provided direct chemical evidence of early [[winemaking]]. Written sources from [[Mesopotamia]] and [[Egypt]] further confirm the cultural significance of wine, often linked to ritual and elite consumption.<ref>Mazar, ''Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000–586 B.C.E.'', Doubleday, 1990, ISBN 978-0385423091.</ref> | ||
== Viticultural development == | == Viticultural development == | ||
The domestication of [[Vitis vinifera]] in the Near East marked a turning point in agricultural and social history. Early viticulture involved the cultivation of vines on slopes and terraces, often supported by irrigation systems that allowed expansion into semi-arid landscapes.<ref>Phillips, ''A Short History of Wine'', HarperCollins, 2000, ISBN 978-0066212821.</ref> Fermentation typically took place in clay jars or stone-lined pits, and the resulting wines were sometimes flavoured with resins, herbs, or honey. | The domestication of [[Vitis vinifera]] in the Near East marked a turning point in agricultural and social history. Early viticulture involved the cultivation of [[vines]] on [[slopes]] and [[terraces]], often supported by [[irrigation]] systems that allowed expansion into semi-arid landscapes.<ref>Phillips, ''A Short History of Wine'', HarperCollins, 2000, ISBN 978-0066212821.</ref> [[Fermentation]] typically took place in clay jars or stone-lined pits, and the resulting wines were sometimes flavoured with resins, herbs, or honey. | ||
Wine played an important role in religion and ritual, with references in Sumerian hymns, biblical texts, and Egyptian tomb paintings. Its use extended beyond ceremonial functions to trade, medicine, and everyday consumption among settled agricultural communities. | Wine played an important role in religion and ritual, with references in Sumerian hymns, biblical texts, and Egyptian tomb paintings. Its use extended beyond ceremonial functions to trade, medicine, and everyday consumption among settled agricultural communities. | ||
== Legacy and influence == | == Legacy and influence == | ||
The viticultural traditions of the Near East were fundamental to the spread of winemaking across the Mediterranean basin. Through Phoenician traders and Greek settlers, techniques and grape varieties were transmitted westward, forming the basis of classical wine cultures.<ref>Unwin, ''Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade'', Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0415075370.</ref> | The viticultural traditions of the Near East were fundamental to the spread of winemaking across the [[Mediterranean]] basin. Through [[Phoenician]] traders and Greek settlers, techniques and [[grape varieties]] were transmitted westward, forming the basis of classical wine cultures.<ref>Unwin, ''Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade'', Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0415075370.</ref> | ||
Despite later disruptions, including Islamic prohibitions, viticulture persisted in parts of the Levant, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia, ensuring continuity of local practices. Today, the Near East remains symbolically important as the birthplace of wine, with archaeological discoveries continuing to shape understanding of how viticulture spread and evolved. | Despite later disruptions, including Islamic prohibitions, viticulture persisted in parts of the [[Levant]], [[Anatolia]], and [[Mesopotamia]], ensuring continuity of local practices. Today, the Near East remains symbolically important as the birthplace of wine, with archaeological discoveries continuing to shape understanding of how viticulture spread and evolved. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[ | * [[Roman Era]] | ||
* [[Ancient Greece | * [[Ancient Greece]] | ||
* [[Viticulture]] | * [[Viticulture]] | ||
* [[Vitis vinifera]] | * [[Vitis vinifera]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:29, 21 August 2025
Near East is a historical-geographical term referring to the lands of Western Asia and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, often considered a cradle of early viticulture and winemaking. Archaeological, textual, and botanical evidence identifies the region as one of the earliest centres of Vitis vinifera domestication, with practices that shaped the later development of wine cultures in the Mediterranean and beyond.[1]
Background
The origins of wine are closely linked to the ancient Near East. Archaeological excavations in the southern Caucasus, eastern Anatolia, and the northern Levant have revealed grape pips, pollen, and wine-stained vessels dating back to the Neolithic period, around 6000–5000 BCE.[2] Residue analysis of pottery jars from sites such as Hajji Firuz Tepe in Iran has provided direct chemical evidence of early winemaking. Written sources from Mesopotamia and Egypt further confirm the cultural significance of wine, often linked to ritual and elite consumption.[3]
Viticultural development
The domestication of Vitis vinifera in the Near East marked a turning point in agricultural and social history. Early viticulture involved the cultivation of vines on slopes and terraces, often supported by irrigation systems that allowed expansion into semi-arid landscapes.[4] Fermentation typically took place in clay jars or stone-lined pits, and the resulting wines were sometimes flavoured with resins, herbs, or honey.
Wine played an important role in religion and ritual, with references in Sumerian hymns, biblical texts, and Egyptian tomb paintings. Its use extended beyond ceremonial functions to trade, medicine, and everyday consumption among settled agricultural communities.
Legacy and influence
The viticultural traditions of the Near East were fundamental to the spread of winemaking across the Mediterranean basin. Through Phoenician traders and Greek settlers, techniques and grape varieties were transmitted westward, forming the basis of classical wine cultures.[5]
Despite later disruptions, including Islamic prohibitions, viticulture persisted in parts of the Levant, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia, ensuring continuity of local practices. Today, the Near East remains symbolically important as the birthplace of wine, with archaeological discoveries continuing to shape understanding of how viticulture spread and evolved.
See also
References
- ↑ McGovern, Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture, Princeton University Press, 2003, ISBN 978-0691070803.
- ↑ Unwin, Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade, Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0415075370.
- ↑ Mazar, Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000–586 B.C.E., Doubleday, 1990, ISBN 978-0385423091.
- ↑ Phillips, A Short History of Wine, HarperCollins, 2000, ISBN 978-0066212821.
- ↑ Unwin, Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade, Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0415075370.