The abundance of amphorae which have been discovered and date back to the 6th c. BC (around 600 BC) suggests a widespread trade in Greek wine, originating mostly in the islands of the northern Aegean Sea. The amphorae were clay wine vessels with two handles, destined chiefly for transportation of wine by sea, and their large number indicates the extent of the trade. It was also during that time, that Greek cities began “standardizing” their wine, by using specific types of amphorae.