Researchers have identified a genetically distinct grapevine landrace in Ethiopia's Tigray region that may trace its ancestry to the ancient Aksumite kingdom (a powerful trading civilisation that flourished roughly 150 BCE–800 CE), suggesting an unbroken agricultural heritage stretching back over two millennia. A vine discovered in the remote village of Rubaksa, whose DNA showed no match in international databases but displayed strong affinities with Mediterranean and Caucasus varieties, was found to share an identical genetic profile with what appears to be the oldest surviving grapevine in the historic city of Aksum — both producing seeds closely resembling those of Mavro, an ancient variety from Cyprus and Crete. Designated the Rubaksum Tsellim landrace, these vines — maintained for generations by smallholder families and religious institutions rather than commercial growers — are now considered at risk, with the recent Tigray War having caused the loss of many household vines, and researchers warning that some surviving plants may represent the last of their unique local lineages.