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Archaeologists Discovered Human Remains Inside a Large Roman Jar in the Ancient Colony of Deultum, Bulgaria. The Man Was Accompanied by Two Iron Knives and a Belt. Ashes, Burned Walls, and Other Evidence Suggest He May Have Sought Shelter During an Attack on the Burning Roman Fortress
At the archaeological site of the ancient Roman colony of Deultum in southeastern Bulgaria, researchers uncovered the remains of a man, two iron knives, and a belt hidden inside a large storage jar. Evidence indicates that the individual sought refuge in the vessel during an attack on the fortress.
The Combat and Refuge Scenario in Deultum
The discovery occurred inside a dolium, a large storage jar positioned in a gate tower of the fortress.
Archaeologist Lyudmil Vagalinski of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences explained that the presence of ashes under the skeleton indicates that the man tried to shield himself at the site after the onset of a devastating fire.
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Roman soldiers stationed in the colony faced constant confrontations against Huns and Eastern Germanic tribes throughout the 4th and 5th centuries AD.
The environment surrounding the jar revealed ashes, embers, charred walls, and melted glass, confirming a scene of destruction by fire during the invasion.
Signs of Defense and Emergency Evacuation
Alongside the human remains, archaeologists recovered two iron knives and a belt. One of the weapons remained attached to the victim’s belt, while the other was placed between his legs.
The arrangement of the objects suggests that the man was ready to defend himself until the very end.
Excavation in the gate tower also revealed bronze coins and burned remains of domesticated animals mixed with the debris.
According to Vagalinski, these traces indicate that the local population received alerts about the imminent attack and sought to gather their livestock for protection within the walls before the invasion.
The Reconstruction of the Fortress After the Attack
Analysis of the structure indicates that the combat caused the complete collapse of the tower. However, the military site was not abandoned permanently after the tragedy.
Following the end of the attack, the inhabitants of Deultum leveled the ruins of the destroyed tower. Over the rubble and the buried jar, the community built a new floor at a higher level to continue activities in the Roman colony.
This article was prepared based on information from Live Science, with data, figures, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
