Feature

Jars of Plenty

Ancient Greek trading vessels carried much more than wine

By Susan Gaidos

- More than 2 years ago

Wine flowed freely from ancient Greece during its golden age, but new work suggests nuts and various herbs were also in demand.

Curvy jars called amphorae (a version from fifth century Greece shown) were often used as storage and trading vessels, as well as for decoration. Ashmolean Museum, Univ. of Oxford, The Bridgeman Art Library International

ANCIENT CARGO Of the nine amphorae analyzed in a recent study, five showed remnants of grapes.