• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Archaeologists unearth Roman “fridge” at Novae fortress in Bulgaria

by Dario Radley
September 18, 2023

Archaeologists from the University of Warsaw, in collaboration with Bulgarian researchers, have discovered a Roman fridge during ongoing excavations at the Roman fortress of Novae in northern Bulgaria, near the Danube River.

Archaeologists unearth Roman "fridge" at Novae fortress in Bulgaria
Credit: Professor Piotr Dyczek

Led by Professor Piotr Dyczek from the University of Warsaw, archaeologists have been meticulously excavating the Novae fortress for several decades. This ancient Roman refrigerator, made of ceramic plates, was discovered during the latest excavation season.

Situated in a military barracks room, this unique find was used by the fort’s inhabitants to store food. What sets this discovery apart is the presence of a lead pipe, connected to a system of aqueducts, running alongside the ceramic structure. The lead pipe played a crucial role in providing constant cooling to the refrigerator, making it a sophisticated innovation for preserving perishable foods.

The refrigerator was ingeniously designed to be recessed beneath the building’s stone floor, ensuring effective insulation by the surrounding cool stone on three sides. Researchers believe that, given Bulgaria’s cold winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing, Roman soldiers likely collected ice or snow to place inside the refrigerator, keeping their food fresh during the winter months.

Inside this ancient refrigerator, archaeologists found ceramic vessel fragments, small baked bone fragments, charcoal, and a bowl that may have been used as an insect repellent. These findings provide valuable insights into the diet and daily life of the Roman soldiers stationed at Novae.

RelatedStories

Roman Bath

‘Baths, wine, and sex make life worth living’: how ancient Romans used public baths to relax, work out and socialise

June 27, 2025
1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

June 26, 2025

In addition to the refrigerator, the excavations have revealed other remarkable artifacts and features. Archaeologists uncovered a complex of wooden and earth military barracks, measuring an impressive 60 meters in length and 38 meters in width. These barracks once housed the Legio VIII Augusta, one of the oldest legions of the Imperial Roman army.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered a system of aqueducts constructed from ceramic and lead pipes. These aqueducts supplied clean water to both the fortress and its associated civilian settlement. To ensure a reliable water source, the architects and construction teams had to build a 10-kilometer-long aqueduct linking the water supply system to the Dermen River.

Excavations also revealed a ceramic furnace from the 4th century CE, a set of wine-drinking vessels, decorated vessels with a smooth and comb motif, and over 200 various artifacts, including a finely crafted silver mouse pendant. This pendant, displaying remarkable attention to detail, depicts a mouse holding a round piece of food, possibly cheese, in its front paws.

Novae’s historical significance extends beyond its military function. Once part of the Roman province of Moesia, Novae was initially conquered by representatives of the first Roman emperor Augustus in the late 1st century BCE. It officially became part of the Roman Empire in 6 CE and served as a critical defensive outpost when Moesia was divided into Moesia Inferior and Moesia Superior in 86 CE.

Constructed as the permanent home of the First Italian Legion, Novae played a pivotal role in defending Moesian territory against Dacian incursions. The fortress boasted a complex water supply system, including the lengthy aqueduct from the Dermen River, making it a well-fortified and sustainable outpost.

As the excavations continue to unearth ancient relics and offer new insights into daily life and technology from over two millennia ago, Professor Piotr Dyczek expressed their importance. He noted, “Thanks to the latest finds, we have obtained enough data to be able to recreate this fragment of the history of this ancient settlement, which until now was shrouded in mystery for us.”

This discovery of an ancient Roman “fridge” and the wealth of artifacts found at Novae Fortress provide a window into the advanced technology and everyday life of Roman soldiers and civilians in this historically significant region along the Danube River.

More information: PAP

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Enigmatic Carnac megaliths reveal Europe's earliest monuments
Archaeology

Enigmatic Carnac megaliths reveal Europe’s earliest monuments

June 27, 2025
Roman Bath
Archaeology

‘Baths, wine, and sex make life worth living’: how ancient Romans used public baths to relax, work out and socialise

June 27, 2025
Researchers recreate 16th-century prosthetic hand with 3D printing to explore historical amputee life
Archaeology

Researchers recreate 16th-century prosthetic hand with 3D printing to explore historical amputee life

June 27, 2025
New study reveals ritual purpose behind the destruction of Queen Hatshepsut’s statues
Archaeology

New study reveals ritual purpose behind the destruction of Queen Hatshepsut’s statues

June 26, 2025
1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism
Archaeology

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

June 26, 2025
New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’ Credit: Southend Central Museum
Archaeology

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’

June 26, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
110K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Enigmatic Carnac megaliths reveal Europe's earliest monuments

Enigmatic Carnac megaliths reveal Europe’s earliest monuments

June 27, 2025
Roman Bath

‘Baths, wine, and sex make life worth living’: how ancient Romans used public baths to relax, work out and socialise

June 27, 2025
Researchers recreate 16th-century prosthetic hand with 3D printing to explore historical amputee life

Researchers recreate 16th-century prosthetic hand with 3D printing to explore historical amputee life

June 27, 2025
New study reveals ritual purpose behind the destruction of Queen Hatshepsut’s statues

New study reveals ritual purpose behind the destruction of Queen Hatshepsut’s statues

June 26, 2025
1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

June 26, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.