SAEDNEWS: A 1,700-year-old egg has been discovered in England—and its interior is still liquid! This rare find isn’t just one of the oldest known examples of naturally preserved organic material in the world; it also offers a unique glimpse into the life and religious rituals of Roman-era Britain.
According to the History and Culture Desk of Saed News, archaeologists uncovered this egg alongside pottery, leather shoes, and animal bones. Edward Biddulph of the Oxford Archaeology team said, “We often find fragments of eggshells, and it’s rare to come across an intact egg.”
Four eggs were retrieved from the pit, but three were broken, leaving only one intact. Dena Goodburn-Brown, a materials scientist and conservation specialist, used micro-CT scanning to reveal that the egg still contained its internal liquid—a combination of yolk and white that had fused over 1,700 years. Biddulph described the find as “even more remarkable than we imagined.”
The egg survived in astonishing condition after 1,700 years. Unlike mummified eggs, which typically last only in dry environments, this one remained intact in a damp, low-oxygen pit that had been used for malting and fermenting substances. The presence of a woven basket alongside the egg suggests it may have held ritual significance, possibly linked to votive offerings or fertility rites during Roman Britain.
The egg is now housed at the Natural History Museum in London. Experts believe it may be possible to extract its contents for scientific study through a small hole, without damaging the fragile shell.
Goodburn-Brown described the discovery as “one of the most exciting and challenging archaeological finds” of her 40-year career. The egg is currently on display at the Discover Bucks Museum.
