1,400-year-old wine press found in Israel

JERUSALEM - Archaeologists in Israel claimed to have found an antique device which was used to prepare wine during sixth and seventh century.

The 1,400-year-old machine, which was found near Kibbutz Hafetz-Haim, south of Tel-Aviv, is believed to be one of the largest wine presses ever discovered in the country, said Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Monday.

“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,” said excavation director Uzi Ad.

“Instead, the wine was intended for export to Egypt, a major export market at the time, or to Europe,” added Uzi.

Experts said that the wine press, which measures 6.5 by 16.5 metres, originally measured 15.0 by 16.5 metres, but was partly damaged during some construction work in the area, Xinhua reported.

Archaeologists observed that the collecting vats of the wine press were octagonal, instead of the usual circular or square shape of the device.

“It seems that they were built in this manner for primarily aesthetic reasons,” said Uzi, adding “this is a complex wine press that reflects a very high level of technology for this period”.