Discovered in a Roman Tomb
The Speyer Bottle, or Römerwein aus Speyer, was found in 1867 during the excavation of a 4th-century Roman tomb near Speyer, Germany. The bottle, sealed for over 1,600 years, was buried alongside a Roman noble, likely as part of a burial ritual.
Airtight Seal Preserved the Liquid
The bottle, made of thick glass, contains about 1.5 liters of liquid. It was sealed with a wax stopper and olive oil, which prevented evaporation and bacterial contamination. Scientists believe this technique helped preserve the liquid inside.
Oldest Known Unopened Wine Bottle
The Speyer Bottle is the world’s oldest known unopened wine bottle, dating back to between 325 and 350 AD. It is currently displayed at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Germany.
Scientists Won’t Open It
Despite curiosity about its contents, scientists have never opened the bottle due to concerns that exposure to air could destroy the ancient liquid. The wine is no longer drinkable, but it remains a rare artifact of Roman history.
The Speyer Bottle, or Römerwein aus Speyer, was found in 1867 during the excavation of a 4th-century Roman tombnear Speyer, Germany. The bottle, sealed for over 1,600 years, was buried alongside a Roman noble, likely as part of a burial ritual. It holds one record…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Dyc2QhkH88
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