Wine Production was Well-Developed during Sasanid Dynastic Era - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Recent geophysical and archaeological studies in Bolaghi Valley led to discovery of the biggest wine production workshops belonging to the Sasanid dynasty (224–652 CE). This is the first time archaeologists have succeeded in discovering such a large wine production workshop.

Prior to this, the remains of a wine production workshop belonging to the Sasanid dynastic era had been discovered during the archaeological excavations by the joint Iranian-Polish team in Bolaghi Valley under the supervision of Ali Asadi and Barbara Kaim.

“Three wine production workshops had already been discovered in area no. 64 of Bolaghi Valley historical site during archaeological excavations by the Iranian-Polish joint team. However, the recent geophysical studies have resulted in discovery of more than 10 other constructions which were used for producing wine. Two coins belonging to Kwadh (NP. Qobad) I, the Sasanid Emperor, were also discovered in the architectural remains in this area which indicate that the area no. 64 and all its belongings must go back to the Sasanid dynasty,” said Reza Heidari, the current Iranian head of the Iranian-Polish joint team in Bolaghi Valley.

Babak Aminpour, head of the team of geophysical studies in Bolaghi Valley, strongly believes that most of the unearthed constructions in area no. 64 of Bolaghi Valley must have been workshops for producing wine. “Mortar dishes were used for producing wine and the grape juice was directed to bigger jars through a ditch which was built for this purpose. The remains of grain pits have also been discovered in this area,” explained Aminpour.

According to Heidari, considering that the main settlement area of the Imperial family was in the south of Fars province during the Sasanids, discovery of these workshops in Bolaghi Valley on the opposite side, north of Fars province, has raised new questions.

All of these new discoveries indicate that the Iranians enjoyed a high technology in producing wine prior to Islamic conquest, particularly the Sasanid dynasty. The most oldest wine in the world was found in a vase in Hajjii Firuz Tepe in Iran belonging to 5000-5500 BCE.

Bolaghi Valley is one of the historical sites of the Pasargadae in Fars province. With the flooding of Sivand Dam which has been constructed by the Islamic regime in this Valley, hundreds of historical sites unearthed so far including area no. 64 will drown. With the cooperation of Sivand Dam authorities and Bolaghi Valley salvation team, some joint teams from Iran and international countries are engaged in archaeological excavations in the site to save the main remains of Bolaghi Valley before inauguration of the dam.