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ITALIAN HISTORY

Fresco of possible pizza ‘ancestor’ found in Italy’s Pompeii ruins

Archaeologists at the Pompeii site, in Italy's southern Campania region, said on Tuesday they had uncovered an ancient fresco depicting what may have been the precursor of modern-day pizza – but without cheese and tomatoes.

Published: 27 June 2023 15:17 CEST
A general view of the Pompeii archaeological site
A general view of the Pompeii archaeological site, in Italy's southern Campania region. Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP

The 2,000-year-old painting – which was discovered in the middle of a half-crumbled wall during recent digs at the sprawling archaeological site – depicts a silver platter holding a round flatbread, alongside fresh and dried fruits such as pomegranates and dates and a goblet filled with red wine.

“What was depicted on the wall of an ancient Pompeian house could be a distant ancestor of the modern dish,” said experts at the archaeological park in a statement.

The devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried the Roman city in thick ash, hiding from view countless treasures that archaeologists continue to slowly bring to light.

READ ALSO: Two more victims of volcanic eruption found in Italy’s Pompeii ruins

The fresco is believed to refer to the “hospitable gifts” offered to guests, following a Greek tradition dating back to the 3rd to 1st century BC and described by imperial Roman-era writers including Virgil and Philostratus.

Pompeii’s director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said the newly uncovered fresco shows the contrast between “a frugal and simple meal, which refers to a sphere between the bucolic and the sacred… and the luxury of silver trays and the refinement of artistic and literary representations”.

“How can we fail to think, in this regard, of pizza, also born as a ‘poor’ dish in southern Italy, which has now conquered the world and is also served in starred restaurants,” Zuchtriegel added.

READ ALSO: Italy plans high-speed rail link between Rome and Pompeii to boost tourism

The new excavations revealed an atrium of a house that included an annex with a bakery, partially explored in the late 19th century.

“In the working areas near the oven, the skeletons of three victims have been found in the past weeks,” said experts at the park.

Archaeologists estimate that 15 to 20 percent of Pompeii’s population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock as a giant cloud of gases and ash covered the city.

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ITALIAN HISTORY

‘Treasure chest’: New banquet hall frescoes unearthed in Pompeii excavation

A black-walled banqueting hall decorated with scenes from Greek mythology, where ancient Romans feasted by candlelight, has been unearthed in Pompeii, the archaeological park said Thursday.

Published: 11 April 2024 14:51 CEST
'Treasure chest': New banquet hall frescoes unearthed in Pompeii excavation

The exceptionally well-preserved frescoes show the god Apollo attempting to seduce Trojan priestess Cassandra, and Helen of Troy meeting Paris, an encounter which would lead to war.

“The mythical couples were starting points for talking about the past and life,” Pompeii director Gabriel Zuchtreigel said in a statement.

“The walls were black to prevent the smoke from the lamps on the walls from being seen,” he said.

“Here they gathered to feast after sunset, the flickering light of the lamps made the images seem to move, especially after a few glasses of good Campania wine,” said Zuchtreigel, referring to the southern Italian region.

READ ALSO: Ancient Roman home with ‘unparalleled’ mosaic found near Colosseum

Frescoes in a banqueting room recently unearthed in Pompeii. Photo by Handout / Parco Archeologico di Pompei press office / AFP.

Pompeii was devastated when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2,000 years ago in 79 AD.

The ash and rock helped preserve many buildings almost in their original state, as well as forming eery shapes around the curled-up corpses of victims of the disaster, thought to number around 3,000.

The hall, with its nearly intact white mosaic floor, was discovered during an excavation which has also uncovered a bakery, a laundry and houses with sumptuous frescoed living rooms.

READ ALSO: Water returns to Rome’s ancient Caracalla Baths in reflecting pool

‘Treasure chest’

“Pompeii is truly a treasure chest that never ceases to surprise us and arouse amazement because, every time we dig, we find something beautiful and significant,” Culture Minister Gennaro Sanguiliano said.

The spacious hall shows “the high standard of living” in the domus, where building works had been under way when the volcano erupted, Pompeii said.

Newly discovered frescoes depict mythological characters Helen and Paris. Photo by Handout / Parco Archeologico di Pompei press office / AFP.

It said the fresco themes appear to be heroism and destiny, with the relationship between individuals and fate embodied by Cassandra, who is cursed by Apollo for rejecting him, so that she can foresee the future but is believed by no-one.

“The frequent presence of mythological figures on frescoes in the reception rooms of Roman houses had precisely the social function of entertaining guests and guests, providing subjects for conversation and reflection on the meaning of existence,” the park statement said.

The banqueting hall – which measures some 15 metres by six metres (50 feet by 20 feet) – opens into a courtyard which appears to be an open-air service hallway, with a long staircase leading to the first floor.

A newly unearthed fresco in a banqueting room in Pompeii. Photo by Handout / Parco Archeologico di Pompei press office / AFP.

A vast pile of construction materials was found set aside under the arches of the staircase.

“Someone had drawn in charcoal, on the rough plaster of the arches of the great staircase, two pairs of gladiators and what appears to be an enormous stylised phallus,” the statement said.

Pompeii is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second most visited tourist site in Italy, after the Colosseum in Rome.

Archaeologists estimate that 15 to 20 percent of Pompeii’s population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock as a giant cloud of gases and ash covered the city.

By AFP’s Ella Ide.

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