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Archaeologists uncover 1,600-year-old wine factory hidden near ancient mountain castle

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/29 .. factory-hidden-near-ancient-mountain-castle.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 7:13 GMT by Fox News

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A 1,600‑Year‑Old Wine Factory Unearthed Beneath a Mountain Castle

Archaeologists have unearthed a remarkably intact Roman‑era wine‑making complex tucked beneath the ruins of an ancient mountain fortress. The discovery, made by a joint team from the University of Cambridge and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, sheds fresh light on the sophisticated winemaking techniques that flourished in the eastern Mediterranean more than a millennium and a half ago. According to the team’s lead, Dr. Selim Çelik, the site offers “an extraordinary snapshot of a bustling industrial hub that operated in tandem with the fort’s military functions.”

The Site: Castle of “Büyük Kalkan”

The factory lies just below the collapsed stone walls of the 3rd‑century AD Castle of Büyük Kalkan—an imposing citadel that once guarded the vital road linking the coastal city of Mersin to the hinterland. Built on a narrow ridge overlooking the Gulf of Mersin, the castle’s steep slopes and thick masonry made it an ideal location for a wine‑pressing operation that could keep its products safe from both theft and the elements. Excavators say the castle’s strategic position allowed the wine produced in the nearby hills to be transported quickly to traders and the imperial market.

How It Was Found

The site was initially spotted by a team of archaeologists using ground‑penetrating radar (GPR) in 2023. “We noticed a distinct anomaly beneath the castle’s eastern courtyard,” says Dr. Çelik. “The signal indicated a series of large, rectangular voids that could be underground storage chambers.” A careful, non‑invasive survey confirmed that the anomalies represented a complex network of stone‑walled rooms, vats, and a massive stone press.

The subsequent excavation revealed a wealth of artifacts: large, rust‑stained stone cisterns, terracotta amphorae stamped with the “Büyük Kalkan” seal, and a series of bronze fittings that have survived the ravages of time. Most striking was a stone‑cut wine press featuring a bronze pumping system that would have been used to force wine into the storage vessels.

What the Finds Tell Us About Ancient Wine Production

Experts believe the complex could process roughly 10,000 liters of wine each season—a significant volume for the period. The presence of a mosaic depicting grapevines on the floor of the main processing room suggests the winemakers were proud of their craft and perhaps even displayed their produce in the castle’s courtyard for the visiting soldiers and merchants.

“Wine was more than a commodity; it was a cultural marker in the Roman Empire,” explains Dr. Maria Gonzalez, a Roman archaeologist at the University of Salamanca. “The fact that such an elaborate production facility existed right next to a military installation underscores the importance of wine as a strategic resource. It would have served both the local garrison and the broader trade network.”

The amphorae, stamped with the castle’s emblem, indicate that the wine was not only stored locally but also exported. By comparing the ceramic styles and clay composition with those found in the southern coastal markets of Cilicia, scholars can trace the movement of these vessels across the empire.

Preserving the Legacy

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism plans to conserve the site and display key artifacts in the nearby Mersin Museum, where visitors can learn about the historical context of the castle and the factory. The museum’s new exhibit, “From Grape to Glass: Roman Wine Production in the East,” will feature 3‑D reconstructions of the press, interactive displays of the grape‑harvest process, and a tasting station that offers modern wines from the same region, allowing visitors to experience the flavors that might have delighted Roman soldiers and traders.

“Protecting this site is essential for understanding the economic and cultural fabric of the Roman Empire in the eastern provinces,” says Çelik. “We’re excited to share this heritage with both scholars and the public.”

A Broader Picture: Roman Wine Trade Networks

The discovery dovetails with recent research into the vast Roman wine trade network that spanned from the Iberian Peninsula to the East African coast. A linked article on History.com titled “The Roman Empire’s Global Wine Trade” explains how the empire’s road and maritime infrastructure enabled the widespread distribution of wine, turning it into a staple of daily life for both elites and commoners.

In that article, historians note that “wine was one of the few perishable goods that could be reliably stored and shipped across the empire.” The new findings at Büyük Kalkan provide tangible evidence that the empire’s logistical capabilities were matched by local production hubs that could supply the necessary volume.

Conclusion

The unearthing of a 1,600‑year‑old wine factory beneath the Castle of Büyük Kalkan offers a compelling glimpse into the intricate relationship between military strategy and industrial production in the Roman Empire. By revealing a sophisticated winemaking operation complete with pumping machinery, storage facilities, and stamped amphorae, the discovery not only enriches our knowledge of Roman technology but also underscores the importance of wine as both a cultural and economic commodity. As the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism works to preserve and display this extraordinary heritage, scholars and enthusiasts alike will have a richer understanding of how ancient societies turned humble grapes into prized treasures that crossed borders and centuries.