At the archaeological site of Hadrianopolis, located in the Black Sea region, a team of researchers has made a discovery that sheds new light on ancient consumption habits. During excavations led by Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş, a professor of Archaeology at Karabük University, a bronze filter was uncovered—an object used during the Roman and Byzantine periods to purify beverages before consumption.
Hadrianopolis, a settlement with records of occupation dating from the Chalcolithic Period to the Early Byzantine Era, has been the site of intensive excavations as part of the “Heritage for the Future Project,” promoted by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This project aims to rescue and preserve the remnants of a past that continues to reveal important testimonies about the customs and technologies of the time.
The discovery of the bronze filter in Hadrianopolis is particularly significant, as it demonstrates the sophistication of daily practices in antiquity. According to Dr. Çelikbaş, this artifact was used to remove impurities and solid residues from beverages, allowing for a more pleasant and refined drinking experience.
This object, measuring approximately 9.2 centimeters in length and featuring a conical structure with small perforations, was used alongside straws made from plant materials such as reed or cane, facilitating the filtration of liquids before they were consumed, the archaeologist explained.
The design of the filter, equipped with a fastening ring, suggests that it was not a disposable item but was cleaned and reused multiple times. This characteristic reinforces the idea that people of the time valued hygiene in their dietary habits and sought efficient ways to improve their quality of life.
Excavations have also revealed that Hadrianopolis was a center of intense agricultural activity during the 5th century AD. The region was known for producing fruits such as pomegranates, apples, and grapes, as well as cultivating cereals like wheat and barley.
This economic context suggests that the bronze filter may have been widely used in the preparation and consumption of fruit juices, wines, and other fermented beverages.
The discovery of such utensils confirms that the inhabitants of Hadrianopolis not only had access to a wide variety of agricultural products but also developed technologies that allowed them to enjoy these in a more sophisticated and healthier manner, Dr. Çelikbaş emphasized.
Nicknamed the Zeugma of the Black Sea due to the richness of its mosaics, Hadrianopolis is home to a great diversity of historical structures, including two baths, two churches, fortifications, monumental tombs, villas, an inner castle, necropolises, cisterns, warehouses, rock-carved settlements, open-air sanctuaries, and stepped altars. These discoveries have made the region a key reference point for archaeological research in Turkey.
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