Herculaneum: Roman life revealed in poop (and they ate dormice?)
British archaeologists have found hundreds of Roman artefacts in an ancient septic tank beneath the city of Herculaneum, buried by ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The finds include bronze coins, precious stones, and a gold ring decorated with a miniature of the god Mercury. After excavating nearly 800 sacks of human excrement from the tank, the team has also learned much about the Roman diet.
It seems the middle- and lower-class Romans’ diet was far more varied than archaeologists expected. “And they may have eaten dormice – they had pots of ingenious construction in which they fattened them up,” said Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, director of the Herculaneum Conservation Project. The septic tank was used to dispose of household waste as well as human waste, leaving a wealth of evidence for the archaeologists to discover.
The British Museum in London will display some of the recent finds in a major exhibition on Herculaneum and Pompeii, planned for 2013.
[Image courtesy of Keith Perkins via Flickr]
Source: The Telegraph
Visit Front Side Bus for the latest in gadgets, technology and science.
Source:
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).