Archaeologists working at the Boghazkoy-Hattusa site in Turkey have uncovered a monumental subterranean storage complex dating back to the 14th century BC. The chamber contains dozens of colossal pithoi, or storage jars, which have provided the first physical evidence for the logistics behind the Aritma, a major Hittite spring purification festival.
Chemical residue analysis conducted on the interior of the jars has identified a unique fermented blend of barley, honey, and wild mountain berries. Researchers suggest that these vessels were used to store ritual beverages in massive quantities, indicating that the Hittite state coordinated large-scale communal feasting to mark the transition from winter to the agricultural season.