Grape, common name of an edible fruit in the buckthorn family and of the vines that produce the fruit. The European Grape has been used as food since prehistoric times. Grape seeds have been found in the remains of lake dwellings of the Bronze Age in Switzerland and Italy and in Tombs of ancient Egypt. Botanists believe that the Caspian Sea region was the original home of the European Grape. Distribution of seeds by birds, wind and water carried the plant westwards to the Asian shores of the Mediterranean. Grape Culture, practiced in Palestine during biblical times, was introduced in the Mediterranean region by seagoing Phoenicians. The Ancient Greeks cultivated grapes and use of the fruit was later adopted by Rome and its colonies. Turkey has the most suitable climate conditions for vine growing in the world and is the origin of the vine genes. The archaeological findings in Anatolia proved that this culture of vine growing dates back to 3500 BC. Grape figures, found in different locations of Anatolia points out to the fact that growing grapes has been the part of the Culture for centuries. In the periods of Hittites, that is 1800-1550 BC, grape growing and wine making was developed and during religious ceremonies there were votive offering to the Gods. Hittites had agricultural laws similar to todays in order to protect the vineyards. A grape bunch shaped wine container, dating back from 1800-1600 BC, was found in Çorum Alacahöyük, another town in Central Anatolia. Historical coins with grape figures were used in Western Anatolia. Grapes and wine have always played an important social and commercial role in Western Anatolia. The Romans and the Byzantines were much progressed in the viniculture. In Persia, the Armenians were busy with perfecting world’s first seedless grapes. Experts say that the grapes may have been grown exclusively for ruling Sultans of the day. “Sultanas” means in Turkish “for the Sultan”. The first raisins were undoubtedly grapes that had dried naturally on the vine, but more than 3000 years ago people were picking grapes and laying them in the sun to dry. A process that has remained virtually unchanged. Today, most raisins are still sun-dried, though some are dried in ovens. Raisins have been a precious trade item in the ancient near East as well as in ancient Rome (where two jars of raisins could be exchanged for a slave). Spanish missionaries brought them to Mexico and California in the 18th century. In the 20th century Australia became an important producer as well.