Dig Into History – April 2019

ASK

AWAY!

Have questions about world history, archaeology, paleontology?

Dr. Dig and Calliope are ready to answer them.

Q

Did the ancient Romans (or

Greeks) have anything that

could keep food cold?

— Melinda, Web post

A

BEFORE THE invention of modern

refrigeration, the only way to keep

things cold was by using ice. Ancient authors

tell us of ice and snow being gathered in the

mountains and kept in specially constructed

pits in the ground. They also note that

sometimes these pits were covered in straw,

which acted as a type of insulation. In this

way, they could keep the contents within

cold. Stored in large amounts, the ice and

snow could remain frozen for a very long

time. Such constructions were in use in the

ancient world since at least the 18th century

ƊƋƍ. Ice and snow were also used to chill

food.

— Calliope

Q

I read that Caesar built an

amazing bridge across a

river. Where was that and how

did he do it?

— Peter, Web post

A

THE BRIDGES to which you refer are

probably the Rhine bridges that

Julius Caesar built during the Gallic Wars —

several military campaigns that Caesar

fought against tribes in Gaul (present-day

France) for control of the area. The Rhine

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by Sue Rice

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