🍷 Amphora trade

The amphora trade was the sea transport of wine and other goods in clay jars in ancient times. An amphora is a sturdy vessel with two handles and a pointed base. It is convenient to stand in rows in a ship's hold, packed with sand or straw so they do not break.

Wine was traded already by the Phoenicians, and after them by the Greeks and Romans. Ships sailed across the whole Mediterranean and even further, bringing wine to distant ports. Oil and fish sauce also travelled in amphorae. A stamp of the maker or place was often put on the handles, so we know where a cargo came from.

Shipwrecks help us learn about this trade. On the floor of the Mediterranean lie sunken ships loaded with hundreds of amphorae. Scholars raise finds and from the shape of the vessels work out where and when they were made.

The amphora trade spread viticulture, because grape varieties and the skill of winemaking travelled the world together with the wine. Thus wine became a link between peoples.