During their excavation of Pompeii, archaeologists recently made an intriguing discovery. On the walls of an ancient house buried under volcanic lava nearly 2,000 years ago, they found a fresco depicting the “ancestor of Italian pizza.”
This finding offers a fresh perspective on the traditional dish beloved by Italians, suggesting that it existed during the time of the Roman Empire. Interestingly, the image of pizza was discovered about 14 miles from Naples, which is considered the birthplace of this cherished Italian food.
An Interesting Find in a House Excavated Over a Century Ago
The house in Pompeii where the pizza fresco was found was excavated back in the 19th century. However, research on it was only resumed this January. This means that nearly 2,000 years have passed since the eruption of the volcano that engulfed Pompeii. Due to this natural disaster, the city was buried under ash, and its deceased inhabitants appeared to be frozen in time.
As history tells us, the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred in 79 A.D. Its ash and lava, along with rock debris, completely buried several nearby cities, the most famous of which are Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The excavations of Pompeii, nearly 1,700 years after its destruction, have provided unparalleled insights into Roman life. Archaeologists are continually uncovering new sites in the ash-covered city.
For instance, in May, a stunning alley of grand houses with balconies was discovered, largely untouched and still retaining their original colors. Some balconies even featured terracotta amphorae. This discovery has been dubbed a “complete novelty,” and Italy’s Ministry of Culture hopes that the houses can be restored and opened to the public.
The Pizza Fresco: A Contrast Between Simple Food and Luxurious Surroundings
Experts from the Pompeii archaeological park note that the wall fresco in the ancient house may be a distant ancestor of the modern dish. The painting depicts a silver platter with a round flatbread topped with fresh and dried fruits (pomegranates, dates) and a cup of red wine.
Technically, this bread can only be partially considered pizza, as it lacks classic ingredients like tomatoes and mozzarella. However, it can be viewed as a precursor to the future signature dish of Italians.
Researchers believe that the artist of the fresco drew inspiration from the “gifts of hospitality” offered to guests, following the Greek tradition. This practice was popular between the 3rd and 1st centuries B.C. and is described by renowned writers of the Roman era, including Virgil and Philostratus.
Ruins of a bakery where pizza, like that in the fresco, could have been baked
As noted by the director of the Pompeii archaeological park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the recently discovered fresco illustrates the contrast between “frugal and simple food” and the “luxury of a silver platter.” In his view, this is also true for pizza, which originated as a “poor” dish in Southern Italy but has now conquered the world and is served even in elite restaurants.
According to the Daily Mail, during the recent excavations, an atrium of the house with an attached bakery was discovered, partially explored in the late 19th century. Park experts add that in recent weeks, the skeletal remains of three victims of the volcanic eruption were found in the working areas near the oven. Researchers believe that this bakery near the house could have produced the precursor to modern Italian pizza.