Italy: Pompeii to open ancient 'street food' diner to visitors
The Pompeii archaeological park has announced that it will open up a recently discovered thermopolium, a sort of ancient 'fast food' counter, with visits set to begin from Easter 2021.
The news follows the discovery of the L-shaped thermopolium, at the corner of Alley of the Balconies and Alley of the Silver Wedding at the Regio V site, in March 2019.
The newly unearthed thermopolium is noted for its well
preserved, colourful frescoes portraying images of geese, a rooster and a
dog, reports Italian news agency ANSA.
Archaeologists have discovered an inlaid floor of polychrome marble,
earthenware pots and have even clues about what was on the menu, with
one paella-type dish including a mixture of "mammals, birds, fish and
snails," reports ANSA.
They also unearthed the skeletons of two men and a dog, buried along
with the rest of Pompeii in volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption
of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Over the years archaeologists have excavated more than 80 thermopolia, an ancient version of Italy's tavole calde, which sold ready-to-eat food and were popular among the working classes and those who could not afford a private kitchen.
