Even in Roman times, people satisfied their hunger at food stalls. What was on offer for food at these stands around 2000 years ago is now revealed by new excavations at such a thermopoly in Pompeii. Accordingly, there were roasted or braised duck dishes at this snack bar, but also dishes with pork, fish or goat. Wine was drunk with it, as the analyzes of residues reveal.
When Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the ashes hurled out by the volcano and the glowing avalanches also buried the ancient city of Pompeii and killed many of its inhabitants before they could escape. Under the thick layer of ash, their remains, as well as buildings, art objects and everyday objects, remained almost untouched for almost 2000 years. This gives Pompeii a unique insight into the life and everyday life of the people in Roman times.
Ducks, rooster and a warning about the dog
As early as 2019, archaeologists came across the well-preserved remains of a so-called thermopoly during excavations in the northern part of Pompeii, the so-called Region V. This is a kind of food stand where drinks and hot dishes were sold. The food was kept warm in containers that were let into the counter. “Such thermopolies were widespread in the Roman world because it was typical to take the prandium outside the home,” says a statement from the Pompeii Archaeological Park. A late breakfast or lunch was commonly referred to as a prandium.
Archaeologists have now uncovered further areas of this thermopoly and gained new insights into the food on offer in this ancient snack bar. In addition to the frescoes of a mermaid on a sea horse and a picture of the kiosk itself, which were already known in 2019, the new excavations now reveal a side of the counter that apparently served as a kind of menu. Because her frescoes show images of the animals that were apparently included in the food. Among them are two mallards hung by their legs and a rooster. Also shown is a dog on a leash – it may have served as a warning, similar to the “Warning of the dog” signs today.
Residues reveal diversity in food
“This thermopoly not only gives us a further insight into daily life in Pompeii, it also offers unique opportunities for research, because for the first time an area of this type has been completely excavated,” explains Massimo Osanna, interim general director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park. This enabled the researchers to carry out further analyzes. For example, they found food residues and bones in the terracotta food containers embedded in the counter, which provide initial information about which dishes were sold at this snack bar. Accordingly, there were dishes with braised or roasted duck, but also dishes with pork and goat meat, fish dishes and even preparations of snails. This confirms that the animals depicted on the front of the counter were actually sold as food.
(Video: Parco archeologico di Pompei)
“The finds are now being analyzed further in the laboratory,” explains Osanna. “Above all, we expect unique data from the residues from the terracotta containers, which will tell us exactly what was sold and what the diet of the Romans looked like back then.” The archaeologists have also discovered further storage containers in the Thermopolium, including nine amphorae two-handled bowl, two bottles and a bulbous ceramic pot. They also found residues of wine in one of the containers in the counter, the color and taste of which had apparently been refined by crushed beans. The excavations also revealed that the bottom of the thermopoly was covered by a waterproof plaster made of terracotta fragments mixed with marble. In the northwest corner of the thermopoly was the skeleton of a small dog. It is not clear whether this belonged to the owner of the snack stand or was only there by chance when Pompeii fell.
Source: Parco archeologico di Pompei