A Roman furnace dating back to the 4th century, discovered in Romania in the 1980s has gone on show to the public.
The oven, believed to be the only one of its kind, was saved by a private company which then donated it to the Sighisoara History Museum in Transylvania.
It was exhibited during the Medieval Sighisoara Festival, Agerpres.ro reported.
Museum curator Nicolae Teşculă, said that tourists can admire the oven both day and night, as it has been placed in an illuminated glass dome.
„The furnace was extracted in 1982 in a container in the Citadel and stored for the next 24 years in a container there. It was then transferred to the city’s brick factory where it was restored and exhibited. In 2020, the factory’s new management said it would return the oven to the History Museum but the move was considered risky.
Eventually, the furnace was moved where it was restored, and a glass dome was placed around it. The Medieval Sighisoara Festival means the public can see it even at night”, said Nicolae Teşculă.
The 4th century oven was used by the Romans to produce traditional ceramics. It was discovered during an archaeological dig by prof. dr. Radu Harhoiu and prof. dr. Gheorghe Baltag in 1981, in Dealul Viilor, in Arges county.
The Romans conquered parts of today’s Romania in 106 and occupied the land until 275 AD.