Archaeologists discover 4,700-year-old ovens and ‘refrigerator’ in Iraq

(ORDO NEWS) — Scientists have discovered 4,700-year-old artifacts near the ancient city of Lagash in southern Iraq.

In the fourth millennium BC, the coast of the Persian Gulf was about 200 km further northwest than it is today.

Along this ancient coastline were three settlements, Girsu, Lagash, and Nichin, which together made up the large city-state of Lagash.

Recently, in the southern part of the archaeological site, scientists found signs of burning, including an ash-covered surface with waste pottery.

In a large square pit, archaeologists found six pottery kilns with oval pits made of fired mud bricks.

What surprised the authors the most was the large “tavern” with benches, a stove, and the remains of storage vessels, many of which still contained food.

In addition, scientists found the remains of a zira – a “refrigerator” in the form of two pots that maintained a low temperature by evaporating water.

“It was a public place for eating, built somewhere around 2700 BC. BC,” says Holly Pittman, professor of art history at the University of Pennsylvania.

“It’s part veranda, part kitchen area.” According to archaeologists, the number of kilns indicates a significant pottery production in Lagash.

Now scientists are trying to figure out how production was organized, whether it was done by private artisans or the state owned everything.

Also nearby, scientists have unearthed a dwelling with a kitchen. The kitchen contained earthenware stoppers for jars, bowls of food, a grindstone on the floor, and adjoining rooms had a toilet.

Archaeologists hope that such discoveries will bring scientists closer to understanding the life of ancient people.

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