Wine Production was Well-Developed during Sassanid Era

Tehran, 7 June 2006 (CHN) -- Recent geophysical and archaeological studies in Bolaghi Gorge led to discovery of the biggest wine production workshops belonging to the Sassanid era (226–650 AD). This is the first time archaeologists have succeeded in discovering such a big wine production workshop. Prior to this, the remains of a wine production workshop belonging to the Sassanid era had been discovered during the archaeological excavations by the joint Iranian-Polish team in Bolaghi Gorge under the supervision of Ali Asadi and Barbara Kaim.
“Three wine production workshops had already been discovered in area no. 64 of Bolaghi Gorge 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 Qobad I, the Sassanid king, 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 Sassanid era,” said Reza Heidari, the current Iranian head of the Iranian-Polish joint team in Bolaghi Gorge.
Babak Aminpour, head of the team of geophysical studies in Bolaghi Gorge, strongly believes that most of the unearthed constructions in area no. 64 of Bolaghi Gorge 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 royal family was in the south of Fars province during the Sassanid era, discovery of these workshops in Bolaghi Gorge on the opposite side, north of Fars province, has raised new questions. All of these new discoveries indicate that the Persians enjoyed a high technology in producing wine during the ancient times, particularly the Sassanid era. The most ancient wine of the world seems to have been found in a vase in Ajjii Firuz Tepe in Iran belonging to 5000-5500 BC.
Bolaghi Gorge is one of the historical sites of the Pasargadae in Fars province. With the flooding of Sivand Dam which has been constructed in this gorge, hundreds of historical sites unearthed so far including area no. 64 will drown. With the cooperation of Sivand Dam authorities and Bolaghi Gorge salvation team, some joint teams from Iran and foreign countries are busy with archaeological excavations in the site to save the main remains of Bolaghi Gorge before inauguration of the dam.