Discover 6,000 year old wine making equipment

Scientists from Armenia, the US and Ireland have discovered the oldest wine-making device ever, estimated to be about 6,000 years old, in southern Armenia.

The results of this study are published in the Journal of Archaeological Science . The discovery site, called Areni-1, in the Little Caucasus Mountains near the border between Armenia and Iran.

Dr. Gregory Areshian of the University of Los Angeles, director of the study, said that these are the oldest wineries in the world.

By technical methods, scientists determined that a raisin was planted around 4,000 BC right next to a grape crusher. This device is a deep clay tank, about 1 meter in diameter. There are still traces of grape seeds and raisins around.

Mr. Areshian said that this grape extractor, keeping the gallon of grape juice and crushed grapes, can work with the classic technique of getting the bare foot of the grape crushed and watery.

Also at this excavation site last year, archaeologists discovered the world's oldest ancient leather shoes, dated to about 5,500 years.