Skeleton discovered inside Roman storage jar in Bulgaria

Archaeologists in Bulgaria have discovered a skeleton inside a massive Roman storage jar, known as a dolium, at the Deultum archaeological site in the southeast of the country. The discovery was made in August 2026 during excavations led by Lyudmil Vagalinski of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The skeleton was found in a crouched position with the knees near the chin, located within the north tower of the western gate of a late Roman fortification. The site contains evidence of heat-related damage, including ashes and melted glass fragments. Preliminary dating places the event around 400 AD, within a fortification originally built near 300 AD.

Researchers are investigating whether the individual sought refuge in the vessel during an attack or fire, or if the placement was the result of a ritual or accident. While ceramic vessel burials have been documented in Deultum, this specific case is considered unusual. The remains have been moved to Sofia for detailed osteological and taphonomic analysis to determine if the fire occurred before or after death.