A team of archaeologists found a “thermopoly”, ie a place where food and drinks were served to take to the inhabitants of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city that in 79 AD. was buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
The AFP
December 27, 2020- 08:28
A team of archaeologists found a “thermopolis”, meaning a place where food and drink were served to take to the inhabitants of ancient Rome. The place is practically intact, with rich pictorial decorations and even food scraps. Photo AFP / Luigi SpinaThermopolium (thermopolium), a kind of “fast food” in the middle of the street of ancient Rome, unearthed in Pompeii (Campania, south, near Naples), is decorated with very colorful themes and in an exceptional state of preservation, announced this work Saturday those responsible for the site. Photo AFP / Luigi SpinaThe counter preserved by volcanic ash had been partially unearthed in 2019, but the works were extended to try to preserve the entire archeological site and which is located in a very crowded neighborhood, at the intersection of the wedding streets of Plata and Los Balcones. Photo AFP / Luigi SpinaScientists have found food scraps in the depths of the table that could provide valuable information about the gastronomic habits of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Photo AFP / Luigi SpinaIn the facility, a fragment of duck bone was recovered, as well as remains of pork, goat, fish and snails in clay containers. Several ingredients were cooked together, as if it were a paella. Photo AFP / Luigi SpinaCrushed beans were found at the bottom of a container, which were used to change the taste of the wine. Photo AFP / Luigi Spina“Thermopolis gives the impression that it was closed and hastily abandoned by its owners, although it is possible that someone, perhaps the oldest, may have remained and died during the first stage of the eruption, when the attic collapsed,” Massimo explained. Osanna, general director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park. Photo AFP / Luigi SpinaThere were two skeletons instead. The second could be that of a thief or a hungry fugitive, “surprised by the burning smoke holding in one hand the lid of the container he had just opened,” Ossana added. Photo AFP / Luigi Spina“Thermopolia” (the compound word comes from the Greek “thermopōlion”, which means hot food for sale) were very common in the Roman world. In Pompeii alone there were about 80. The city, completely covered by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, is the second most visited place in Italy after the Roman Colosseum, with almost four million visits in 2019. Photo AFP / Luigi Spina
