Ancient “refrigerator” unearthed at Roman military fortress in Novae, Bulgaria

 

During the excavation at Novae’s Roman Camp, Polish archeologists found a container called an ancient “refrigerator” made of ceramic plates for storing food.

Novae Legionary Fortress is an archeological site in the Danube river in northern Bulgarian, near the town of Svictov. It was founded in the middle of the year in the middle of the year.

The first Italian corps is stationed here in most of its existence, and its existence has been proven until his 5th century 1930s. 17.99 A monumental building was found on the camp site that covers hectares. The most important among them is the headquarters (Principia), but the Corps Hospital (Valetudinarium) and the baths (Thermae Legionis) are similar.

 

 

 

There was a civilian settlement (canabae) on the west side of the camp, and a necropolis on the south and east sides. In late antiquity, the fortress of Novae was fortified and additional areas (so-called annexes) were added to the camp from the east, covering an area of ​​about 8 hectares.

Both military and civilians lived within the walls at the time. Traces of recent Roman activity date back to the late 6th century.

Polish and Bulgarian researchers have been excavating the fortress for decades, now headed by Prof. Piotr Dicek of the University of Warsaw. During excavations this season, the team found ceramic plate containers embedded in the ground. This was used by the fort’s inhabitants as a “refrigerator” to store food. The container was found in a military barracks room.

Inside the container, a ceramic jar and small pieces of burnt bone were found, as well as charcoal and a bowl that may have been a censor used to keep out insects.

Professor Piotr Dyczek said such “fridge” finds are rare.

 

 

Another discovery this year is a collection of dozens of coins. Most are from strata covering the period since the medieval Gothic invasion. From the 3rd century to the beginning of the reign of Constantine the Great (early 4th century).

Archaeologists have also unearthed the remains of a Roman dwelling with an entire wall and a quarry. Wells, textiles and fishing weights, pulleys, and shipwrecks were found.