As a response to global warming, it is of vital importance to expand our search for authentic local ancient breeds that were cultivated and bred for centuries in dry arid areas. Using advanced DNA testing, Prof. Guy Bar-Oz (School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures) and his team matched 1,500 year-old Byzantine grape seeds discovered in the Negev desert to endemic heritage cultivars growing in the region. “This exciting find provides a unique story of winemaking in arid environments,” notes Bar-Oz. The European Research Council Proof of Concept grant will enable the researchers to plant a five-acre educational vineyard to recreate this authentic lost grape variety in the Negev Highlands. “The goal of the project is to develop multidisciplinary research and educational programs that recreate ancient human inventions that have been lost through time.” His research in the Negev has been generously funded by the Israel Science Foundation and a previous European Research Council grant over the past several years. | FURTHER READING ON HIS PREVIOUS ERC RESEARCH (available in 6 languages)

*Credit: Prof. Guy Bar-Oz