# Roman skeleton discovery in Deultum, Bulgaria

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/roman-skeleton-discovery-in-deultum-bulgaria
> Updated: 2026-09-18T19:00:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Archaeologists in Deultum, Bulgaria, have discovered the 1,600-year-old remains of a young Roman man inside a large ceramic storage jar, known as a dolium or pitos. The skeleton was found in a crouched position with its knees pressed to its chin within a defensive tower at the city’s western gate.

Evidence at the site, including charred animal bones, blackened walls, and melted glass, suggests the area was subjected to fire around 400 AD. Researchers, led by Lyudmil Vagalinski of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, are investigating whether the individual died of suffocation during an invasion by Germanic or Hunnic forces or if the placement was ritualistic. While two iron knives were found with the body, researchers noted the individual did not appear to be a warrior.

The remains have been moved to Sofia for osteological and taphonomic analysis to determine the exact timing of the fire in relation to the individual's death.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Skeleton discovered inside Roman storage jar in Bulgaria

Archaeologists in Bulgaria discovered a skeleton in a crouched position inside a large Roman storage jar at the Deultum site, dating back to approximately 400 AD.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/skeleton-discovered-inside-roman-storage-jar-in-bulgaria

### 2026-09-08: Deultum archaeologists find 1,600-year-old Roman skeleton in jar

Archaeologists in Bulgaria unearthed a 1,600-year-old Roman skeleton hidden inside a large ceramic jar in the ancient city of Deultum, likely a victim of suffocation during an ancient invasion.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/archaeologists-find-1600-year-old-roman-remains-in-bulgarian-storage-jar

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Cite as: Roman skeleton discovery in Deultum, Bulgaria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/roman-skeleton-discovery-in-deultum-bulgaria