Archaeologists discovered a unique—and familiar—find while excavating a Roman military camp in Bulgaria: a filled refrigerator.
Archaeologists excavating the ancient Roman military camp in Bulgaria unearthed a rare refrigerator with wine and animal bones inside, photos show. Photo from Krzysztof Narloch
According to a news release from the University of Warsaw on September 13, archaeologists discovered lead and ceramic water pipes while working on the Roman-era military fortification Novae's remains.
Lead archaeologist Piotr Dyczek stated in the press release that they discovered an old "fridge" next to the lead pipes that was built out of ceramic plates and used to store food. There was still food in the refrigerator, along with bowls for drinking wine and animal bones.
The fridge's and its contents' actual ages are yet unknown.
An aerial view shows some of the ruins at Novae. Photo from Krzysztof Narloch
In Novae, a comparable refrigerator was discovered in October, according to McClatchy News. There were still remnants of cooked meat, animal bones, and dishware within this chilling machine.
“The discovery of such ‘refrigerators’ are rare, because they rarely survive reconstructions of buildings,” Dyczek said previously.
A collection of wine pottery vessels found at Novae. Photo from Krzysztof Narloch
On the lower Danube River, Novae was constructed as a permanent outpost for Roman troops in the first century A.D. Up to the middle of the fifth century, the camp served as a home for Italian military recruits.
According to the press release, excavations at Novae also turned up the remains of a wooden barracks building connected to the camp's first permanently stationed Roman troops, the camp's earliest known well, and a fourth-century furnace.
A detailed mouse pendant found at Novae. Photo from Krzysztof Narloch
In addition, archaeologists discovered a unique set of black wine drinking jars with a little silver pendant in the form of an intricate mouse. Images present these artifacts.
Along the border between Bulgaria and Romania, in the northern Bulgarian city of Svishtov, Novae is located. It is about 155 miles northeast of Sofia.
