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A thermopoly was found in the ruins of Pompeii, described as the equivalent of a Roman snack bar. The discovery can provide valuable clues about the height of food.
Under the ashes of Vesuvius, in the ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii, archaeologists have discovered an ancient thermopoly, the Latin name for stalls selling hot street food, the equivalent of our modern bars. Within the circular terracotta holes of the thermopoly, archaeologists found traces of food dating back almost two thousand years, preserved by the volcanic explosion of 79 BC. C.
“This is an extraordinary discovery. It is the first time that we are excavating a complete thermopoly,” said Massimo Ossana, director of the Pompeii archaeological park, in a video released by the institution.
The find, discovered in the Regius V section of Pompeii, which is not yet open to the public, could provide valuable clues about the diet of the Romans. Traces of pork and beef, fish and snails were found, “testimony to the wide variety of animal products used to prepare dishes,” added Valeria Amoretti, one of the archaeologists responsible for the excavations.
On the thermopoly’s forehead, archaeologists also found frescoes in excellent condition, brightly colored images of what is believed to be the food sold at the establishment, including drawings of two chickens and an upside-down duck. Documents from the time describe the thermopoly as places where passersby bought food and kept walking, the equivalent of our fast food.
There may still be much more to discover at the ruins of Pompeii, where some 13,000 people lived before being buried by the eruption of Vesuvius. About two-thirds of the city remains to be excavated, having been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy.
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