For the first time, scientists have unveiled chemical evidence that wine was consumed on a large scale in ancient Troy, contradicting earlier assumptions that it was a drink of the elite. Scientists from the Universities of Tübingen, Bonn, and Jena conducted a biomolecular analysis of drinking vessels from the legendary city and found that wine was something both the upper and lower classes drank. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Archaeology.
The research focused on the depas amphikypellon, a characteristic two-handled clay goblet known from Homeric epics. The vessels, dating from 2500 to 2000 BCE, were initially excavated by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the 19th century, and he surmised that they were used in celebratory toasts, as described in The Iliad. Nonetheless, the question of whether wine was actually contained in them had gone unanswered until this investigation.
Dr. Stephan Blum from the University of Tübingen explained, “Heinrich Schliemann already conjectured that the depas goblet was passed around at celebrations—just as described in The Iliad. Our research has now confirmed that these vessels were indeed used for wine.”
The researchers used gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze organic residues on ceramic fragments of depas goblets from the University of Tübingen’s classical archaeology collection. The examination showed the presence of pyruvic and succinic acids—chemical markers of fermented grape juice. Dr. Maxime Rageot of the University of Bonn, who led the residue analysis, stated, “The evidence of these acids was conclusive: They only occur when grape juice ferments. So now we can state with confidence that wine was actually drunk from the depas goblets and not just grape juice.”
Although wine has long been considered a luxury product during the Bronze Age, researchers have now established that it was not exclusive to the elite. Chemical analysis of ordinary cups from Troy’s outer settlements, which accommodated common people, also revealed the same wine residues. “We’ve also chemically studied ordinary cups that were found in the outer settlement of Troy and therefore outside the citadel,” said Blum. “These vessels also contained wine, so it is clear that wine was an everyday drink for the common people too.”
The discovery contradicts traditional beliefs that wine drinking was strictly controlled by the ruling elite. In many ancient societies, wine was generally associated with elite status due to the complexities of grape cultivation and trade. But Troy’s location in a region favorable to viticulture suggests that wine might have been more widely available across all levels of society.
Professor Karla Pollmann, President of the University of Tübingen, said, “Research into Troy has a long tradition at the University of Tübingen, and I am delighted that we have been able to add another piece to the puzzle revealing the picture of Troy.”
Traditionally considered a symbol of wealth and religious rituals, this new evidence suggests that in Troy, wine drinking was a democratized practice. This finding raises new questions about wine consumption in other ancient cultures. Further biomolecular research at other Aegean and Anatolian locations can determine if widespread wine consumption was a unique characteristic of Troy or a broader regional phenomenon.
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