The Fortress of Novae: A Legacy of the Roman Empire
Novae, a significant Roman legionary fortress, served as a critical defense along the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Situated along the Danube River in the province of Moesia Inferior and later Moesia Secunda, Novae played a vital role in protecting the empire from barbarian invasions. Beyond its defensive role, Novae captivates interest with its military facilities and insight into the daily lives of the legionaries stationed there. A recent archaeological discovery of a complex of wooden barracks with compacted earth flooring, associated with Augustus' Legion VIII, offers a glimpse into the structure and size of legionary barracks.
The Eighth Legion was the first to establish a permanent settlement along the Roman Empire's Danube border. Their fortress, measuring thirty-eight meters wide and sixty meters long, provides valuable intel about the barracks' layout and size during the period. The fortress comprised various military structures, including barracks, watchtowers, defensive walls, and other installations significant to Roman military operations. The archaeological findings have shed light on the arrangement and dimensions of the legionary barracks and their auxiliary buildings.
Unveiling Novae's Cooling System: The Roman Refrigeration
The most unexpected finding is the Novae legionary refrigerator. This ancient cooling system, connected to the aqueduct via a lead pipe, is a testament to Roman thermal engineering prowess. The lead pipe, encased in ceramic plates, created a closed, thermally insulated environment capable of preserving food and beverages. The refrigerator contents, including fragments of wine drinking vessels, bowls, and animal bones, suggest a sophisticated food and drink preservation system. According to research leader Professor Piotr Dyczek, these findings could help reconstruct the last meal enjoyed by the legionnaires nearly two millennia ago.
Beyond the Refrigerator: Additional Discoveries at Novae
Apart from the Roman refrigerator, Novae has yielded several other extraordinary archaeological finds. Last year, an insulated masonry container was discovered near the barracks that could have functioned as both a stove and a refrigerator, possibly using ice blocks from a neviera. Additionally, a fourth-century pottery kiln, housing unique vessels and wine jars, was unearthed. These objects, adorned with smooth and comb motifs on black surfaces, provide valuable insights into Roman material culture along the Danube. The discovery of over 200 other precious artifacts has further augmented Novae's archaeological repertoire.
Food Storage in Antiquity
Novae's discoveries allow us to connect with ancient food storage practices, a fascinating aspect of daily life in Roman times. Although the Roman refrigerator is an extraordinary innovation, food preservation had even deeper roots. The earliest banquet in history dates back to the Bronze Age, and even in the Paleolithic period there were primitive forms of food preservation. In Spain, a fragment of an amphora used for olive oil was found with an engraving of verses by the poet Virgil, evidence of the spread of olive oil in ancient Rome.
Post a Comment