Roman Egg Found in Aylesbury Still Has Contents After 1,700 Years

FOA News – In a remarkable archaeological discovery, a cache of 1,700-year-old speckled chicken eggs was unearthed in a Roman pit during a dig in Buckinghamshire.

The egg is one of four that were found alongside a woven basket, pottery vessels, leather shoes and animal bone in 2010. Photograph: Oxford Archeology

Among these ancient eggs, one has astounded experts: it remains intact, with liquid inside – believed to be a mixture of yolk and albumen. This intact egg, affectionately known as the “Aylesbury egg,” may hold secrets about the bird that laid it nearly two millennia ago.

Discovery Context:

The “Aylesbury egg” was part of a collection of four eggs found alongside a woven basket, pottery vessels, leather shoes, and animal bones in 2010 during an excavation ahead of a major development.
Despite the delicate handling by experts, three eggs broke, releasing an unforgettable sulphurous odor. However, one egg was preserved entirely.

Unprecedented Preservation:

Edward Biddulph, senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology, expressed amazement at finding what is likely the only intact egg from this period in Britain.

The egg’s liquid content – both yolk and albumen – has remarkably survived over the centuries. It defies expectations, as such substances typically leach out over time.
Biddulph believes this egg could be the oldest of its type in the world.

Purposeful Placement:

The egg was deliberately placed in a pit that had served as a well for malting and brewing.
Located in a wet area near a Roman road, it’s possible that the eggs were deposited there as votive offerings.
The accompanying woven basket may have contained bread.

Natural History Museum Bound:

The “Aylesbury egg” now resides at the Natural History Museum in London.
Transporting this extraordinary and fragile artifact through the bustling capital was no small feat for Biddulph.

Egg Extraction and Curiosity:

Douglas Russell, senior curator of the museum’s birds’ eggs and nests collection, consulted on how to conserve the egg and extract its contents without damage.

While older eggs with contents exist (such as mummified ones), this egg is believed to be the oldest unintentionally preserved egg.

The “Aylesbury egg” offers a glimpse into ancient avian life, preserved across centuries. Its liquid core holds secrets waiting to be unraveled by science and curiosity.

Source: theguardian