ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

The Ancient Art of Goethe: A Cyprus Focused Exploration

In the heart of traditional Cypriot agriculture lies an ancient facility known as "Goethe," which has been mistakenly referred to as a gas station due to its historical production of olive oil. However, this nickname is misleading, and the correct term for the oil-producing facility is more accurately described as a cloth house.

The origin of the name Goethe dates back to the traditional Cypriot expression "A Fat Ga," which refers to the disruption of an ancient word that means side or mountain slope where olive trees are found. The structure of the garden, also known as Goethe, consists of a dermat surface where grapes were laid out from vineyards. A system of pipes or canals was used to inject wine into lower levels, ultimately leading to an igom hole.

The process of producing wine at Goethe involved several stages and techniques. Grapes would be placed barefoot on the legs, preventing hard shoe chains from dissolving them and making the plant and wine taste bitter. The types of basic eyebrows found in Goethe include a dermatous surface with a pit of igom (A), a complex area of dermatism with an igom hole and stuck filter (B), elaborated structures including fermentation cells around the central workplace (C), and Gothic houses, which are two-level structures at the top level from the deriving surface down to the walls of fermentation and the lake (D).

In addition to its historical significance in Cypriot agriculture, Goethe has also been found in various locations throughout the island. Some notable examples include a garden house with ten pools in three levels on the streets and fourteen Gothic houses in one city, including Kastera, south of Haifa.

The use of stone circles at Goethe is an interesting aspect of its history. These circular structures were often used for the initial destruction of grapes before fermentation began. However, it remains unclear whether this practice was widespread or if it was a unique technique employed by specific communities.

In recent years, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of ancient wine production facilities in various parts of the world, including Armenia. In 2011, a winepress was unearthed with red wine dated 6,000 years old, providing valuable insights into the history of winemaking and its global significance.