🍇 Ancient grape seeds reveal Italy’s slow, 3,000-year transition from foraging wild grapes to cultivating domesticated vines—a process spanning the Bronze Age to Medieval times.
Study Highlights
🔍 1,700+ grape seeds analyzed from 25 archaeological sites across Italy (Neolithic to Medieval Period).
📅 Timeline of Domestication:
Pre-1000 BC: Seeds matched wild grapes (foraging era).
1000 BC–600 AD: Mixed wild/domesticated traits (early cultivation).
Post-700 AD: Seeds resembled modern wine grapes (full domestication).
Why It Matters
Italy’s wine heritage traces back to Bronze Age experimentation.
Domestication was gradual, likely involving crossbreeding wild and cultivated vines.
Fills a gap in Mediterranean viticulture history, complementing genetic/archaeological data.
Funding & Collaboration
💶 Supported by EU Horizon 2020 and French/Italian research teams.
📄 Published in PLOS ONE: DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321653
Cheers to science! 🍷 This research uncorks the deep roots of Italy’s legendary wine culture.
#Archaeology #WineHistory #GrapeDomestication #Italy #BronzeAge #Viticulture #AncientHistory
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