Archaeologists have made an intriguing discovery shedding light on the innovative techniques employed by Roman soldiers stationed in what is now northern Bulgaria along the Danube River. Amid their numerous challenges and uprisings while maintaining the empire’s rule, these soldiers had a clever way to keep their wine and perishable goods reasonably cool. A 2,000-year-old built-in ceramic structure has been unearthed, believed to have served as a storage facility for wine and food preservation.
This remarkable find, the second of its kind, was made at the archaeological site of Novae, a former fortress. The initial discovery was made the preceding year, revealing a container constructed from ceramic plates concealed beneath the floor of a military barracks room. Based on the presence of ceramic vessels, small baked bone fragments, charcoal, and a bowl believed to have been used for insect-repelling incense, it was concluded that this storage space was primarily used for food preservation.
The latest discovery, however, stands out due to its additional cooling feature—a lead pipe linked to an aqueduct system running alongside one side of the structure. The uncovering of fragments from wine-drinking vessels, bowls, and animal bones promises to enable the research team to reconstruct the soldiers’ final meals. Piotr Dyczek, the project’s lead archaeologist from the University of Warsaw in Poland, is enthusiastic about this prospect.
The fortress at Novae, established in the middle of the 1st century CE by the VIII Augustus Legion, played a pivotal role in reinforcing the Roman Empire’s border along the Danube, safeguarding against the incursions of barbarian groups, notably the suppression of the Thracian uprising. It also served as a base for the 1st Italian Legion, established by Emperor Nero following the Roman-Parthian War. After Nero’s death, the 1st Italian Legion briefly sided with Emperor Vitellius during his eight-month rule before being defeated by forces loyal to Vespasian. Subsequently, Vespasian assigned the legion to Novae, where they defended Rome in various conflicts, including Trajan’s Dacian Wars.
