Commercial growing of grape vines can be traced back to Early Islamic communities: Study
In a research paper titled “Ancient DNA from a lost Negev Highlands desert grape reveals a Late Antiquity wine lineage” published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it was recently revealed that commercial level viticulture or the agricultural practice of growing grape vines can be traced back to the ancient Byzantine and Early Islamic communities of 4th to 9th centuries BC. This latest study was conducted by Israelian scientists based at the Tel Aviv University.
Sources also cite that the ancient grape species are now grown in present-day Greece and southern Levant. Wondering where did they carry out this research? Well, that will be in Negev Highlands of southern Israel. The researchers have been fascinated to notice that the grape varieties could be grown in such dry conditions for over many centuries.
The study was conducted using target-oriented, genome-wide sequencing and radiocarbon dating which analysed the grapevine remains excavated at three sites. Experts believe that this study is a proof that ancient civilisations developed strategies such as commercial viticulture to boost their agricultural productivity, ensure food security and financial stability in a difficult environment.
What’s interesting here is that, the samples were processed using aDNA (ancient DNA) infrastructure at the Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with University of Yorkshire and University of Copenhagen. By using genome prediction analysis on aDNA results, it was found out that the oldest pip was as old as 8th century BC. Another pip unearthed at the site could be traced back to several Late Antiquity wines that was once exported from the Byzantine Empire and is now only produced in Greece. This in turn throws light on the trading networks of Byzantine and Early Islamic settlers.
The researchers have also stated that there are hundreds of winemaking grapes, out of which only 11 are European in origin and majority of the rest can now be traced back to prehistoric Israelis. What makes it more fascinating is, till now, scientists thought winemaking needs colder climates, but this latest research proves the contrary. So, the fear that wines might soon get obsolete due to global warming is far from the truth. In fact, plans are in place to restart viticulture in its original climate.