1,700-Year-Old Roman Egg Unearthed in England With Liquid Content Intact

Scientists express astonishment at discovering a well-preserved bird's egg laid in Roman Britain 1700 years ago, containing intact yolk and egg white. Found in Berryfields during excavations in Buckinghamshire, southeast England, it is believed to be the only one of its kind globally.

Ancient Roman Eggs in the Well

In 2010, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery in Aylesbury, England, unearthing a waterlogged pit dating back to the Roman period (A.D. 270-300).

The pit, about 1,700 years old, served for water extraction in Roman times. Eggs were preserved in wet silt, part of ritualistic offerings post-water use. Coins, jars, leather shoes, animal bones, eggs, and a basket, potentially holding bread, were deposited akin to modern practices.

The eggs, possibly involved in a funerary ceremony, present valuable research opportunities due to their exceptional preservation. Of particular interest was the recovery of one intact egg, which, despite its fragility, was carefully retrieved by the on-site team. This intact Roman egg was deemed a unique find in Britain.

The eggs discovered in the pit were believed to have been left as offerings to the gods or symbols of good luck, a common practice in areas of the Roman world associated with rituals. The well, which had served for malting and brewing until around A.D. 270, likely became a site for such offerings once it fell into disuse.

Three of the four eggs found were whole, but due to their extreme fragility, two cracked upon removal from the wet conditions that had preserved them so well.

What's Inside the Egg?

To unravel the mysteries of the 1,700-year-old Roman egg, Oxford Archaeology's conservator Dana Goodburn-Brown collaborated with paleoanthropologist Chris Dunmore at the University of Kent in August 2023. A micro-CT scan conducted at the university revealed that the egg, likely laid by a chicken, still contained liquid and exhibited an air bubble.

When two other eggs found with the intact one broke upon exposure, they released liquid with a sulfurous odor, suggesting the preservation of the original contents. The egg, a remarkable find, was then taken to the National History Museum in London in September 2023, where curators Douglas Russell and Arianna Bernucci expressed their excitement.

While intact Roman-period eggs have been found in Italy, minimal research has been conducted on their contents. Douglas Russell, considering it the oldest unintentionally preserved bird's egg globally, emphasized its significance for archaeozoologists, offering an extraordinary opportunity for in-depth research on ancient birds and chickens.

The egg's intact liquid content provides a rare chance for a broader range of research opportunities, shedding light on the use of birds and chickens in the Roman world, an area with relatively limited existing knowledge.

The findings egg are crucial for archaeologists hoping to uncover more about the ancient environment, species, and Roman practices related to birds. This unique preservation allows for a comprehensive analysis that extends beyond the typical scope of research based on bird bones and fragmented eggshells, offering a deeper understanding of the role of birds and chickens in the Roman era.

The egg's rarity and the wealth of information it holds make it an invaluable asset in expanding our knowledge of the Roman world and its interactions with avian life.

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