Pompeii, new discovery: the thermopoly was found intact

Published on: 12/26/2020 11:43 AM

It remains an extraordinary discovery in Pompeii. In the new excavations, resumed as part of the Regio V maintenance and restoration project, a perfectly preserved Thermopoly resurfaces with the image of a sea nymph on horseback and animals so brightly colored that they appear three-dimensional. But what is surprising is the discovery on Thermopoly packaging of food scraps that were sold on the street. In fact, the Pompeians had a habit of consuming hot food and drinks in the open air. The specialists of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii are already studying the material to see to what extent this discovery can expand the knowledge about the eating habits of Roman times.

“With teamwork, which required legislative standards and the quality of people, today Pompeii is indicated in the world as an example of protection and management, once again being one of the most visited places in the world where research is carried out, he continues dig and make extraordinary discoveries like this one ”, says the Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, Dario Franceschini.

“In addition to being another testimony of daily life in Pompeii, the possibilities of analysis of this Thermopoly are exceptional, because for the first time an environment has been excavated with cutting-edge methodologies and technologies that are returning unpublished data”, says Massimo Osanna, Acting Director General of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. “The work is an interdisciplinary team composed of: physical anthropologist, archaeologist, archaeologist, archaeologist, geologist, volcanologist: more analyzes will be added to the analyzes already carried out in Pompeii chemical products in the laboratory to understand the content of dolia (terracotta containers) “.

The commercial plant where the Thermopoly resurfaced was only partially investigated in 2019, during the interventions of the Great Pompeii Project for the safety and consolidation of the historic excavation fronts. Taking into account the exceptional character of the decoration and in order to restore the complete configuration of the place, located in the clearing at the intersection of the vicolo delle Nozze d’Argento and the vicolo dei Balconi, it was decided to expand the project and complete the excavation of the entire environment in order to protect the entire context with proper restoration.

In front of the Thermopoly, in the small square opposite, a cistern, a fountain and a piezometric tower for water distribution had already emerged, located a short distance from the store already known for the fresco of gladiators in combat.

The counter decorations, the first to emerge from the excavation, show on the front the image of a Nereid on horseback in a marine environment and, on the shorter side, the illustration probably of the same shop as a commercial sign. At the time of the excavation, the discovery of amphoras placed in front of the counter reflected the painted image not by chance.

In this new phase of excavation, other valuable still life scenes have emerged with representations of animals, probably slaughtered and sold in the room. Fragments of bones, belonging to the animals themselves, were also found in containers obtained from the thickness of the counter that contained food intended for sale. Like the two mallards exposed upside down, ready to be prepared and eaten, a rooster and a dog on a leash, almost a warning in the manner of the famous Cave Canem.

Another interesting piece of information is the discovery of human bones, found partially altered by the passage of tunnels made in modern times by clandestine excavators in search of precious objects. Some are from an individual of at least 50 years old who was probably positioned on a bed of which traces remain at the time of the arrival of the pyroclastic current.

Other bones, yet to be investigated, belong to another individual and were found inside a large dolio, perhaps always placed here by the first excavators. In addition, in Thermopoly different materials for pantry and transport were found: nine amphoras, a bronze patera, two jars, a common table ceramic pot. The floor of the entire room is made up of a layer of cocciopesto (a waterproof coating made up of fragments of terracotta), in which fragments of polychrome marble (alabaster, holder, green gap and bardiglio) have been inserted at some points.

Thermopolies, where drinks and hot food were served, as the name of Greek origin indicates, preserved in large dolia (jars) embedded in the masonry counter, were very common in the Roman world, where it was customary to consume the prandium (the food ) outdoor. House. In Pompeii alone there are about eighty, but none with the counter fully painted, confirming the exceptional nature of the find.