If you know me at all, you know I love Ancient Egypt. I have been fascinated with the land of the pharaohs since I was 4 years old and my father brought me home a picture book. I cannot tell you how many papers I’ve written and classes I’ve taken just knowing that I would get to write and learn more about Egypt. When I found out from my friend Vincent Brown (@bennu on Twitter) that an ancient wine cellar had been found with the first king of Egypt, I had to jump at the chance to write about it. With that, here is my article about The King Wino: Scorpion I…

When Egyptian Pharaohs were buried, their most prized possessions went with them. Pharaoh had a cat? Poor kitty was killed and buried along with its master. Pharaoh had a favorite servant? You better bet they came too! These kings were buried with all their prized possessions: money, art, statues, toys, and clothing. Thanks to a recent discovery, we now know they were also buried with wine cellars. That’s right! King Scorpion I, was buried with an entire wine cache! Don’t you wish you could have that same luxury?! Well, minus the dead cats and organs in jars.

This discovery changes everything historians previously thought about Egyptian wine making. Scorpion reigned over 5000 years ago, centuries earlier that the perceived inception of Egyptian wines. The wine that Scorpion was sipping isn’t your normal wine, however.

Residues inside clay pots in his cache suggest he was savoring spiked wine. This stuff was loaded with herbs for medicinal purposes. You must remember that in 3150 B.C. Egyptians couldn’t run to the drug store for ailments, they had to take care of them naturally. Herbs dissolved very well in liquids, especially wine and beer. These same practices were also followed in China, Rome and Greece.

These Egyptians knew their stuff. Not only did the various herbs, flowers, and tree resins add to the overall flavor, they also worked quite well. Researchers and archaeologists are currently studying the residue in Scorpion’s wine jars to see if they can replicate the ancient recipes. The team hopes to see if they’re worth their salt in today’s world. Lead archaeologist Patrick McGovern is anxious to see if these herbal wines could aid in treatment and prevention of modern diseases and cancer.

Additionally, my favorite love poem came from this period of time, and it mentions pomegranate wine. While archaeologists don’t know if any of these wines were pomegranate as of yet, it’s still fitting to share because it means something to me.

Saam-Plants Here Summon Us

Saam-plants here summon us,

I am your sister, your best one;

I belong to you like this plot of ground

That I planted with flowers

And sweet-smelling herbs.

Sweet is its stream,

Dug by your hand,

Refreshing in the north wind.

A lovely place to wander in,

Your hand in my hand.

My body thrives, my heart exults

At our walking together;

Hearing your voice is pomegranate wine,

I live by hearing it.

Each look with which you look at me sustains me more than food and drink