The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has uncovered the remains of a liquid extraction installation that were most likely used for pressing wine from grapes. It is also possible that the installation was used to produce wine or alcoholic beverage from other types of fruit that grew in the region. This ancient liquid extraction is believed to have been dated back to the Byzantine period.

This discovery was made as part of an excavation being conducted in preparation for municipal infrastructure work for the Tel Aviv municipality. Excavation director of IAA, Dr. Yoav Arbel has said that the liquid extraction was the most important contraption from the Byzantine period to be uncovered in Tel Aviv-Yafo area. Moreover, this discovery adds a significant dimension to their knowledge about the agricultural distribution in the region of this period.

Yaffo’s rich and diverse agricultural tradition has a history thousands of years old beginning with references to the city and its fertile fields in ancient Egyptian documents up until Yaffo’s orchards in the Ottoman period.

“The installation, which probably dates to the second half of the Byzantine period (6th century – early 7th century CE), is divided into surfaces paved with a white industrial mosaic,” Dr. Arbel explained. “Due to the mosaic’s impermeability, such surfaces are commonly found in the press installations of the period which were used to extract liquid.”

“Each unit was connected to a plastered collecting vat. The pressing was performed on the mosaic surfaces whereupon the liquid drained into the vats. It is possible that the section that was discovered represents a relatively small part of the overall installation, and other elements of it are likely to be revealed in archaeological excavations along adjacent streets which are expected to take place later this year.”

The liquid extraction installation was covered as new infrastructures were laid in place above it without damaging it, enabling the continued work on the city’s infrastructure without compromising the preservation of the antiquities for future generations.

The Tel Aviv municipality is currently modernizing the underground infrastructure, roads and sidewalks. Overhead electrical and telephone wires are being lowered and street furniture and landscaping are being added.