Unearthing the Past: An Astounding Discovery in Bulgaria

Archaeologists have recently made a remarkable discovery in Bulgaria while excavating an ancient Roman military camp. Amongst the ruins of Novae, a Roman-era military fortress, they stumbled upon something unexpected—an intact and well-stocked refrigerator. This finding provides an intriguing glimpse into the daily lives and culinary habits of Roman soldiers.

Lead and ceramic water pipes were initially uncovered at the site, indicating the presence of a developed infrastructure. But it was the sight of an ancient fridge, constructed with ceramic plates, that captured the attention of lead archaeologist Piotr Dyczek. To their astonishment, the fridge still contained a meal, complete with wine drinking vessels, bowls, and animal bones.

Determining the exact age of the refrigerator and its contents is yet to be established, but it is undoubtedly a valuable piece of history. Interestingly, this is not the first time such a discovery has been made at Novae. Last October, another similar fridge, containing traces of cooked meat, animal bones, and dish fragments, was found. However, these refrigerators are uncommon, as they usually do not survive the ravages of time and the subsequent reconstructions of buildings.

The military camp, constructed in the first century A.D., was designed as a permanent base for Roman troops stationed along the lower Danube River. It served as a home for Italian military recruits until the middle of the fifth century. Excavations at Novae have also revealed the ruins of a wooden barracks, believed to be associated with the camp’s first permanently stationed Roman troops, as well as the camp’s oldest known well and a fourth-century furnace.

In addition to the fascinating refrigerator find, archaeologists uncovered other significant artifacts. A set of wine drinking vessels characterized by their black coloring was among them, along with a small, intricately designed mouse-shaped pendant made of silver.

Novae is situated in the enchanting northern Bulgarian city of Svishtov, approximately 155 miles northeast of Sofia, near the border with Romania. The University of Warsaw provided detailed accounts of the excavation, with their news release translated using Google Translate.

The uncovering of this ancient refrigerator provides a unique window into the customs and daily routines of Roman soldiers stationed at Novae. It also serves as a reminder of the countless hidden treasures waiting to be discovered beneath the surface of our world. The journey into our past continues to captivate and inspire, pushing us to delve even deeper into the mysteries of history.