Archaeologists in Israel recently performed chemical analysis on eight earthenware wine jars discovered in Jerusalem. Diana Bletter writes that the 2,600-year-old jars
date back to the reign of the biblical King Zedekiah, who ruled the kingdom of Judah when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the Jews. Using chemical tests, the researchers identified remnants of vanilla molecules preserved in the tiny spaces on the side of the pottery vessels.
In a recent study, . . . the scientists write that vanilla was not known to be available in the Middle East before Columbus sailed to the Americas in 1492. . . . Scientists believe that the vanilla, considered a luxury, might have come from India via an international trade route that crossed the Negev during the 7th century BCE.
On the handles of some of the jars was a seal impression in the shape of a rosette, indicating that the jar and its contents were part of the royal administration of the kingdom of Judah. The number of jars indicates the economic importance of wine.
Read more on JNS: https://www.jns.org/ancient-jerusalem-wine-found-to-be-seasoned-with-vanilla/