British Archaeology

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Emperor

‘World first’ intact Roman egg laid 1,700 years ago discovered by archaeologists (www.independent.co.uk)

submitted 9 months ago by Emperor to c/britisharchaeology

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An intact chicken egg estimated to be around 1,700 years old is believed to be the only of its type in the world, after scientists found it still had liquid inside.

It was discovered during a dig in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire between 2007 and 2016, with researchers saying at the time that it was a “genuinely unique discovery”.

During the course of the excavation, archaeologists broke three other eggs which released a “potent stench”, but a fourth egg remained intact.

Experts from Oxford Archaeology think the waterlogged pit may have been used as a sort of Roman wishing well.

Now, a micro scan has found that the egg still contained the yolk and egg white and is believed to be the only intact egg from the period.

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[–] hihi24522@lemm.ee 46 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I had no idea Romans laid eggs lol

[–] Emperor 11 points 9 months ago

It's why the invented underfloor heating - to help with the incubation.

[–] OhmsLawn@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Now the real question: Were the Romans lizard-people or bird-people?

[–] CraigeryTheKid@lemm.ee 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

"the only egg from it's time!"

"...found after breaking 3 other eggs..."

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

The only intact egg. The other 3 are broken!

[–] lettruthout@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

Sounds like the beginning of a cheesy science fiction movie.

[–] Emperor 4 points 9 months ago

That's amazing, although "potent stench" may be underselling it.