A 5,000-year-old vintage wine was discovered in the tomb of an Egyptian queen.
Archaeologists have discovered 5,000-year-old sealed jars of wine in the tomb of a woman believed to be Egypt's first female pharaoh.
A German-Austrian team led by archaeologist Christiana Köhler discovered large wine jars while excavating Queen Meret-Neith's tomb in Abydos.
Some jars were particularly well-preserved, still sealed with their original stoppers.
"The wine was no longer liquid, and we can't tell if it was red or white." Christiana Köhler Archaeologist at University of Vienna
"We found a lot of organic residue, grape seeds and crystals, possibly tartar, and all of this is currently being scientifically analyzed. It is probably the second oldest direct evidence for wine; the oldest also comes from Abydos."Christiana Köhler Archaeologist at University ofVienna
Despite her enigmatic identity, Meret-Neith's monumental tomb in Abydos's first royal cemetery stands as a testament to her unique status and power.
Tomb inscriptions reveal that Meret-Neith oversaw government agencies, including the treasury, around 3,000 BC.
Meret-Neith was the predecessor of Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt in the 18th dynasty.
Meret-Neith's desert tomb complex, which includes her own burial chamber and the tombs of 41 courtiers and servants, was constructed with unbaked mud bricks, clay, and wood.