Uncovered in Pompeii’s Regio V site in 2019, this Roman Thermopolium (a fast-food restaurant) has been almost perfectly preserved like most things in Pompeii and is ready for the public to see. It offers us an invaluable insight into the day-to-day life of the average Roman.
They aren’t so different from us, are they? They clearly liked having some quick food much the same as we do. Sure, it’s no MacDonald’s but some of the hallmarks of a traditional take-away shop are present. The shape of the shop and the placement of the counter, everything looks familiar yet different.
Sure, you couldn’t buy a burger and chips here, but you could get chicken, duck, beans, and wine. Archaeologists discovered there several pantry and transport tools like a bronze patera (a shallow bowl), nine amphorae (jug like containers), two flasks, and a traditional ceramic olla (pot). They even discovered some food residue on the counter and some animal bones.
Interim director general of Parco Archeologico di Pompeii, Massimo Osanna, said of the site,
“As well as being another insight into daily life at Pompeii, the possibilities for the 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.”
The site is available to the public from August 12 so if you’re interested in visiting the incredible site of Pompeii, make sure you check out this newest addition.