The Near East

In the Near East the first indications of the presence of the Euroasiatic grapevine, basic to wine production, date from Neolithic times and are found in the foothills of the Zagros, the chain of mountains forming the eastern border of Mesopotamia. In the 3rd millennium, archaeological/botanical evidence of the presence of grape seeds in the Near East increases, concurrent with the production of wine vessels of all kinds. In Mesopotamia, with its dense network of political and economic centres, wine became an important trading item, while establishing its presence in nutritional, religious and medical traditions.

Statement of accounts on fabrics produced at Ebla
c. 2400-2350 B.C.
Rome, Museo del Vicino Oriente, Università “La Sapienza”
Inv. TM.75.G.1221

Letter from the King of Mari to the King of Ebla
Cast of the original cuneiform tablet
c. 2400-2350 B.C.
Rome, Museo del Vicino Oriente, Università “La Sapienza”
Inv. TM.75.G.2367

Treaty between Ebla and Abarsal
c. 2400 B.C.
Rome, Museo del Vicino Oriente, Università “La Sapienza”
Inv. TM.75.G.2420

Relief carving of Ashurbanipal
2010
Florence, Opera Laboratori Fiorentini

Jar
First half of the 3rd millennium B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 83762

Anthropomorphic askoid vessel
1800-1600 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 82469

Pitcher
1450-1200 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 81442

Jar with painted neck
c. 13th-11th century B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 93783

Ring-shaped vessel
850-750 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 82451

Pitchers painted with concentric circles
750-600 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 81404, 82460

Vessel in the shape of a Gorgon’s head
580 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 79242

Vessel in the shape of a lion protome
Mid-6th century B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 79238

Phallic-shaped vessel
Second quarter of the 6th century B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 79241

Cypriot demijohn
750-600 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 70587

Trefoil jar with painted bird
c. 750-600 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 81443

Glazed jar
8th-7th century B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 93789

Glass with painted decoration
13th-11th century B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 93796

Deep cup
850-750 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 82450

Long-stemmed deep goblet
750-600 B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 82465

Glass
13th-7th century B.C.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 93797

Square bottle
2nd-3rd century A.D.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 93774

Glass
3rd-4th century A.D.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 93775

Goblets
5th-6th century A.D.
Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico
Inv. 95376, 95377, 95375