Polish archeologists have unearthed a Roman built food storage container that operated as a primitive refrigerator in Bulgaria.
Ancient Roman refrigerator unearthed at an excavation site near the town of Svishtov, according to a report from New York Post. The excavation site was Novae, a Roman legionary fortress situated on the Danube River in northern Bulgaria.
Archeologists excavated the fridge from the fortress’, Inside the fridge, found ceramic plates, dish fragments and animal bones. The “preserved bone fragments” were inspected by archaeologists who discovered “traces of thermal treatment,” which suggests that the meat kept in the refrigerator was baked.
Coins, wall strings, quern stones, weaving and fishing weights, spindle whorls, pits with bone and vessel fragments, charcoal particles, a bowl fragment, and an incense container that may have been used to ward off insects were among the other objects the discovered.
Lead archeologist, Piotr Dyczek, a professor at the University of Warsaw Antiquity of Southeastern Europe Research Centre, The ancient refrigerator reportedly stands out because the storage containers rarely survive building reconstructions, said.
Roman soldiers were stationed at Novae from the first century until the middle of the fifth century, according to historical sources.
“At that time, Novae was slowly transforming into a civilian city,” said Dyczek, in a statement. “Also thanks to the latest finds, we obtained enough data to be able to recreate that part of the history of this ancient settlement, which until now was shrouded in mystery.”
The ancient Roman fridge is just one of many discoveries Polish archeologists have made in Novae.
Archaeologists have also discovered pieces of pottery and lead pipe water delivery systems in the vicinity that may have been used for thermal baths.
An approximately 6.2-mile aqueduct and two enormous water tanks are thought to have provided the Roman soldiers deployed in Bulgaria with continuous access to water.