breaking news: archaeologists unearth ancient fast food snack bar in pompeii

archaeologists have unearthed a well-preserved thermopolium, or ancient snack bar, in pompeii’s regio V site. the thermopolia, where drinks and hot foods were served, were widespread in the roman world, while in pompeii alone there are eighty of them. this particular one was discovered in its entirety, with decorative still life scenes, food residues, animal bones and victims of the eruption.all images and video courtesy of parco archeologico di pompeii, header image by luigi spina via MiBACT

located in the regio V of pompeii, between vicolo delle nozze d’argento and vicolo dei balconi, the frescoed thermopolium features an image of a nereid riding a sea-horse, which had previously been partially excavated in 2019. considering the exceptional nature of the decorations, and in order to restore the complete layout of the restaurant, it was decided to broaden the project and complete the excavation of the entire area. the multi-sided snack bar’s decorations, which were the first to emerge during the excavation, include the image of a nereid riding a sea-horse in a marine setting on the front, while the shorter side features an illustration which is probably of the shop itself, like a kind of trademark.

the new phase of excavation revealed the last section of the counter, which features other exquisite scenes of still life, with depictions of animals which were likely butchered and sold there. bone fragments belonging to the same animals were also discovered inside containers embedded in the counter, which held food intended for sale, such as the two mallard ducks shown upside down in the fresco. additionally, human bones were discovered on the site, albeit found dispersed as a result of the tunnels which were dug in the 17th century by illegal excavators. last, various pantry and transport materials were unearthed, including: nine amphorae, a bronze patera, two flasks and a common ceramic table olla.

‘as well as being another insight into daily life at pompeii, the possibilities for study of this thermopolium are exceptional, because for the first time an area of this type has been excavated in its entirety, and it has been possible to carry out all the analyses that today’s technology permits,’ says massimo osanna, interim director general of parco archeologico di pompeii.

‘the materials which have been discovered have indeed been excavated and studied from all points of view by an interdisciplinary team composed of professionals in the fields of physical anthropology, archaeology, archaeobotany, archaeozoology, geology and vulcanology,’ osanna continues. ‘the finds will be further analysed in the laboratory, and in particular those remains found in the dolia (terracotta containers) of the counter are expected to yield exceptional data for informing an understanding of what was sold and what the diet was like.’