Wine found to be common among all social classes in ancient Troy, new study shows

New archaeological research has revealed that wine was widely consumed across all social classes in ancient Troy, challenging long-held assumptions that the beverage was reserved for the elite. A team of scientists from the universities of Tübingen, Bonn, and Jena in Germany conducted biochemical analyses on a variety of drinking vessels excavated from the site of ancient Troy, dating back to the early Bronze Age, approximately 3000 to 2000 BCE.

The study, published in the *American Journal of Archaeology*, focused on identifying chemical residues left behind in ceramic vessels. Researchers examined both ornate depas goblets—two-handled cups typically associated with upper-class use—and simpler clay cups believed to have been used by lower-status individuals. The vessels were analyzed for organic compounds such as tartaric, malic, succinic, fumaric, and pyruvic acids. These acids are known markers of grape-based fermentation and are commonly found in wine.

Dr. Maxime Rageot, a biomolecular archaeologist at the University of Bonn, explained that these acids form chemical bonds with the clay over time, allowing researchers to detect them thousands of years later. “It is the quantification of these acids that allows us to deduce that we have a product produced from ripe grapes,” Rageot said. “Wine is therefore the preferred hypothesis in Eastern Mediterranean contexts.”

Dr. Stephan Blum from the University of Tübingen added that tartaric acid was found in all types of vessels tested, including those not previously associated with elite use. “Tartaric acid was detected in all vessels in notably high concentrations; this can be interpreted as a marker for grapes,” Blum said. “The identification of succinic and pyruvic acids—compounds commonly associated with fermentation—further suggests the presence of wine.”

The discovery is significant because it contradicts earlier theories that wine was a luxury item consumed only during special occasions or religious ceremonies by Troy’s upper class. The presence of wine residues in ordinary clay cups suggests that wine drinking was a common practice among all levels of society, including farmers, laborers, and soldiers.

The findings also provide new insight into daily life in ancient Troy. The widespread consumption of wine indicates it may have played a central role not just in ceremonial or elite contexts but also in everyday social interactions among common people.

The research team used advanced chemical analysis techniques to examine residue trapped within the porous surfaces of pottery fragments recovered from archaeological layers at Troy. These layers correspond to different phases of occupation at the site, allowing researchers to track changes in consumption habits over time.

While previous studies had focused primarily on more elaborate drinking vessels found in burial sites or elite residences, this study broadened its scope to include a wider range of artifacts. The inclusion of simple cups helped paint a more complete picture of how wine was integrated into various aspects of Trojan life.

The results suggest that wine production and distribution were likely more developed than previously thought. It also raises questions about agricultural practices and trade networks that would have supported such widespread access to fermented grape beverages.

This research adds to growing evidence from other parts of the Eastern Mediterranean indicating that wine was not solely an elite commodity during the Bronze Age. Similar findings have been reported from sites in modern-day Greece and Turkey, where chemical signatures consistent with wine have been found in both high-status and everyday contexts.

The study’s authors believe their work could lead to further investigations into how ancient societies produced and shared alcoholic beverages. They hope future excavations and analyses will continue to challenge assumptions about class divisions and cultural practices related to food and drink in antiquity.

For now, the evidence from Troy offers a compelling glimpse into a society where wine was not just a symbol of power or privilege but a shared part of daily life for people across the social spectrum.