Scientists reveal the secret of the world’s oldest unbroken egg

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An intact chicken egg estimated to be around 1,700 years old is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world after scientists discovered it still had liquid inside. .

It was discovered during excavations in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, between 2007 and 2016, and researchers said at the time that it was a “truly unique find”.

During the excavation process, archaeologists broke three other eggs and released a “strong odor,” but the fourth egg remained intact.

Oxford archeology experts believe the flooded hole may have been used as a kind of wishing well in Roman times.

Now, microscopic scans have revealed that the egg still contains yolk and albumen, and is believed to be the only intact egg from that time.

Edward Biddulph, senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology, which oversaw the excavation, said: “We expected the contents to be leached, so we were really surprised when we saw what was inside.”

The recent research was carried out by conservator Dana Goodburn-Brown, who collected the eggs for further analysis at the University of Kent.

“It produced amazing images that show that apart from the egg being intact, which is incredible enough, it also holds fluid inside, probably coming from things like the yolk and albumen.” Biddulph said.

The egg was also taken to the Natural History Museum in London, where Douglas Russell, senior curator of the museum’s bird, egg and nest collection, was consulted on how to preserve the egg and how to extract its contents.

Mr Biddulph said: “As he found out when he visited the Natural History Museum, [it] It is thought to be the oldest known example in the world. ”

The archaeologist admitted that “walking around London with a 2,000-year-old egg was a bit daunting”.

“The tube was a little hairy, but it was well protected, but I wasn’t carrying it around in my pocket.”

The egg is now housed at the Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury, where research continues to find a way to extract its contents without breaking the delicate shell.

“There is great potential for further scientific research and this is the next step in the life of this amazing egg,” Biddulph said.