Roman soldiers occupying what is now northern Bulgaria along the Danube River had to deal with all sorts of rebellions against the empire, but at least they could keep their wine reasonably cold.Archaeologist discovered They believe it was a 2,000-year-old built-in ceramic structure used to store wine and fresh produce.
This is a rare find, and the second time such a “fridge” has been found in a former fortress on the site. Novae. Initially I found it last year: A container made of ceramic plates under the floor of a barracks room. It was used to store food, judging from the ceramic vessels and small burnt bone fragments found with it, as well as charcoal and a bowl that may have been used to burn incense to ward off insects. considered most likely.
This latest discovery is notable because it features an additional cooling element in the form of a lead pipe (connected to the water pipe system) running along one side. The wine vessels, bowls and animal bone fragments should help the team reconstruct the soldier’s last meal, said team leader Piotr Dyczek, an archaeologist at the University of Warsaw in Poland.
The fortress of Novae was built around the middle of the 1st century AD. VIII Augustus’ Legion He strengthened the borders of the Roman Empire along the Danube against barbarian invaders and quelled rebellions, especially in Thrace. It also functioned as a base. Italian 1st Corpsfounded by Emperor Nero. Roman-Parthian war.When Nero died, the Italian I Corps briefly fought for the Emperor for eight months. VitelliusI lost to Vespasian’s Power. Vespasian then assigned his legions to Novae to defend Rome during the time of Emperor Trajan. Dacian waramong other disputes.
Piotr Dycek
There are three known aqueducts that supplied water to the fortress, and civilian settlements gradually developed nearby to accommodate the various artisans and merchants who tended to accompany the Roman legions during their travels. did. Novae survived a Gothic attack in 250 AD, but was destroyed by barbarian attacks later that century. The legion remained in small detachments, rebuilding various small forts and civilian buildings, and reusing old stones to pave new streets. A cathedral was built over the fortress between the late 5th and 6th centuries, and the town finally ceased to exist as a Roman outpost in the late 6th century.
Polish and Bulgarian archaeologists have been excavating the site for decades, gradually revealing the headquarters building, hospital, baths, cemetery, and other structures. They also discovered wells, weights and reels for weaving and fishing, broken glass, and simple hand mills for grinding grain.Kuhn). Last year’s work yielded dozens of coins, likely dating from the 3rd century AD to the beginning of the reign of Constantine the Great in the early 4th century AD.
This year, excavations uncovered barracks believed to be associated with the VIII Augustan Legion, the oldest legion in the Roman Imperial Army and the first to be stationed permanently on the Danube border. In addition to the wine refrigerator, Diczek’s team also discovered a ceramic hearth from the 4th century AD, which yielded a set of wine cups. They also discovered a small pendant featuring a silver mouse and 200 other small artifacts.
