Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Deultum in southeastern Bulgaria have unearthed a human skeleton, approximately 1,600 years old, found inside a giant Roman storage jar (dolium). Archaeologists suggest that this individual, believed to be a young man, sought refuge within the jar in a desperate attempt to escape a devastating enemy attack on the city, but ultimately died due to a fire that engulfed the area. This extraordinary discovery holds significant importance as an exceptionally rare and tragic testament to the sudden calamities of antiquity and the individual struggles for survival.
The colossal ceramic jar, discovered during excavations at the northern tower of the western gate of Deultum, was used in antiquity for storing foodstuffs such as olive oil and wine [1]. Lyudmil Vagalinski, lead archaeologist from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, announced the discovery of two iron knives and a belt buckle alongside the skeleton [2]. It was determined that the young man held one of the knives between his legs in a defensive posture, anticipating the possibility of being found by attackers, while the other was carried on his belt.
The Last Refuge Amidst the Ashes
Researchers identified a significant amount of ash, charred wood, melted glass fragments, and domestic animal bones around the jar. This evidence indicates that the city was suddenly besieged and its inhabitants were attempting to bring their animals into the fortification in a state of panic [5]. The presence of ash at the bottom of the jar where the young man sought shelter suggests he entered it after the fire had begun. Following the attack, the surviving residents of the city, in their efforts to clear the debris of the destroyed tower and cover it with a new floor, remained unaware of the presence of their fellow citizen lying at the bottom of the jar.
The skeletal remains have been sent to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, for detailed physical anthropological analysis. The research team aims to fully excavate the western gate of Deultum, dating to the 4th century AD, in the upcoming excavation season and to clarify the chronology of the Late Roman period in the region. Additional resources and further reading to strengthen this context can be found at [3].