The installation, consisting of a shallow treading floor connected to a deeper collection vat, was used to crush grapes and channel the juice for fermentation. Experts believe this discovery points to organized wine production during the early Bronze Age, long before large-scale wineries existed.

Wine has played a central role in the ancient Levant, not only as a daily beverage but also in religious rituals and trade. The sophistication of the carved press suggests that early communities possessed both technical skill and an understanding of fermentation processes.

Residue analysis is currently underway to confirm traces of grape compounds and better understand how the press was used. Archaeologists also hope to determine whether the site was part of a larger settlement or a standalone agricultural facility.

This discovery reinforces the idea that wine production was already a significant cultural and economic activity thousands of years ago—turning simple grapes into a product that would shape civilizations.