A team of archaeologists found a ‘thermopoly’, that is, a place where food and drink was served to take to the residents of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried in AD 79 after the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius .
By AFP
December 27, 2020 – 08:28 AM
A team of archaeologists found a “thermopoly,” that is, a place where food and drink was served to take to the inhabitants of ancient Rome. The place is practically intact, with rich pictorial decorations and even food scraps. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaThe thermopoly (thermopolium), a kind of ‘fast food’ in the middle of the street in ancient Rome, excavated in Pompeii (Campania, south, near Naples), is decorated with very colorful themes and in an exceptional state of preservation they announced this. responsible for the site. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaThe counter kept by the volcanic ash was partially excavated in 2019, but the works were expanded to try to preserve the whole archaeological site as best as possible, and it is located in a very busy area, at the crossroads of the streets of Plata and Los Balcones weddings. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaScientists found food scraps in the recesses of the table that could provide valuable information about gastronomic practices in Pompeii at the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaA fragment of duck bone was found in the facilities, as well as remains of pigs, goats, fish and snails in clay containers. Multiple ingredients were cooked together as if it were a paella. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaCrushed beans were found at the bottom of a container, which were used to change the flavor of the wine. AFP Photo / Luigi Spina“The thermopoly gives the impression of being closed and hastily abandoned by the owners, although it is possible that someone, perhaps the oldest man, stayed and died during the first phase of the eruption, when the loft collapsed,” explains Massimo. Osanna, General Manager of the Pompeii Archaeological Park. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaIn its place there were two skeletons. The second could be that of a thief or a hungry fugitive, “surprised by the burning fumes that spread in one hand the lid of the container he had just opened,” added Ossana. AFP Photo / Luigi SpinaThe “Thermopolia” (the compound word comes from the Greek “thermopōlion,” meaning hot food to sell) was very common in the Roman world. There were about 80 in Pompeii alone. The city, completely covered by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, is the second most visited place in Italy after the Roman Colosseum, with nearly four million visits in 2019. AFP Photo / Luigi Spina
