Scientists find 1,700-year-old egg with preserved contents

The discovery of an ancient egg in excavations carried out in the county of Buckinghamshire, in Englandsurprised researchers and, more than that, became a source of local curiosity.

The egg is around 1,700 years old and was found practically intact. In other words: it has withstood all possible tests imposed by time and is a true historical object.

The aspect that most caught the researchers’ attention was discovering that, beneath the shell, there was still liquid content and an air bubble. They were amazed at the resilience and perpetuity of the egg millennial.

It, of course, is already unfit for consumption, but the fact that it has remained intact for all this time is reason enough to shock the scientific community.

How was the egg found?

1,700-year-old egg found in England – Photo: Oxford Archeology/Reproduction

The egg was in a basket, at the bottom of a place that served as a well during the Roman Empire.

In addition to it, the researchers found coins, leather shoes and a fabric basket, which contained other eggs, but which broke as soon as they came into contact with the air.

The smell emitted by them was “incredibly sulfurous”, according to members of the research team. They are part of the heritage sector and archeology of Buckinghamshire Council.

The only egg that remained intact is considered a true find, as it opens up a series of new questions and archaeological studies.

It is believed to be a chicken egg, and the presence of liquid and air inside was confirmed using a computerized tomography.

The focus now is to seek new confirmations, as they can help reveal more about ancient birds, which lived at the time of the Roman Empire.

General surprise

The discovery surprised researchers across the country. Douglas Russell and Arianna Bernucci, bird experts at the Natural History Museum in London, say that the discovery of the liquid center makes the “Roman egg” a unique specimen in the world.

Researchers believe that he stopped at the bottom of the well, as a form of offering. People at the time used to throw coins and food during rituals to seek luck.