Scientists have discovered that the only intact chicken’s egg ever found in Roman Britain still contains liquid inside. The egg, which is around 1,700 years old, was discovered during an archaeological dig at a site in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire that took place between 2007 and 2016. While the discovery of the intact egg was originally described as unique, its contents have surprised archaeologists and conservators, who have said that it appears to be “the oldest known example of an egg with contents in the world”.
A micro CT scan was used to produce three-dimensional images of the egg, which showed the yolk and egg white still present alongside an air sac. The egg has since been delivered to London’s Natural History Museum, where experts have consulted on how to remove the contents without damaging the shell. The egg is currently housed at the Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury.
Edward Biddulph, senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology, which conducted the excavation, said that the egg was “still revealing its secrets”. Biddulph accompanied the egg to the Natural History Museum, where he commented that it was “a bit daunting walking around London with a 2,000-year-old egg”. However, he added that he was glad the egg was “well-protected” while travelling.
Researchers had at an earlier point described the discovery of the egg as genuinely unique, particularly since other eggs had broken during the excavation process, releasing a strong smell. The site’s discoveries were documented in 2019, at which point Biddulph noted that the “extent and range of discoveries was more than could be foreseen”.
The next step will involve scientists attempting to extract the contents of the egg in order to enable further scientific research. “There is huge potential for further scientific research and this is the next stage in the life of this remarkable egg,” remarked Biddulph
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