Current:Home > MarketsFresco of possible pizza "ancestor" from ancient Pompeii found at dig site-LoTradeCoin
Fresco of possible pizza "ancestor" from ancient Pompeii found at dig site
View Date:2024-12-23 21:16:08
Archaeologists in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii said Tuesday they had found what might have been the precursor to the modern-day pizza depicted on an ancient fresco -- but without the cheese and tomatoes.
A fresco is defined by the Oxford dictionary as "a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries."
The 2,000-year-old painting -- discovered in the middle of a half-crumbled wall during recent digs at the sprawling Pompeii Archaeological Park -- 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.
A devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the city in thick ash, hiding from view its many treasures that archaeologists continue to slowly bring to light.
Pompeii is only some 14 miles from Naples, which the Reuters news agency describes at "the modern-day home of the Italian pizza, a UNESCO-protected food."
The fresco is believed to refer to the "hospitable gifts" offered to guests, following a Greek tradition dating to the 3rd to 1st centuries BC and described by imperial Roman-era writers including Virgil and Philostratus.
The Pompeii park'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.
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.
- In:
- Pompeii
veryGood! (2183)
Related
- Lions find way to win, Bears in tough spot: Best (and worst) from NFL Week 10
- Massive vehicle pileup on southern California highway leaves 2 dead, 9 injured, authorities say
- Any physical activity burns calories, but these exercises burn the most
- Halle Bailey and DDG's Baby Boy Makes His Music Video Debut
- Massive dust storm reduces visibility, causes vehicle pileup on central California highway
- 2024 starts with shrinking abortion access in US. Here's what's going on.
- Erdogan names candidates for March election. Former minister to challenge opposition Istanbul mayor
- Orthodox Christmas: Why it’s celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25
- Justine Bateman feels like she can breathe again in 'new era' after Trump win
- 'American Fiction' told my story. Being a dementia caretaker is exhausting.
Ranking
- Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help
- Paul Mescal on that 'Foe' movie twist ending, why it's 'like 'Marriage Story' on steroids'
- Run to Coach Outlet's 70% Off Clearance Sale for $53 Wallets, $68 Crossbodies & More
- Cumbersome process and ‘arbitrary’ Israeli inspections slow aid delivery into Gaza, US senators say
- Get Your Home Holiday-Ready & Decluttered With These Storage Solutions Starting at $14
- A transgender candidate in Ohio was disqualified from the state ballot for omitting her former name
- Family of woman shot during January 6 Capitol riot sues US government, seeking $30 million
- Is Georgia’s election system constitutional? A federal judge will decide in trial set to begin
Recommendation
-
New wildfires burn in US Northeast while bigger blazes rage out West
-
DeSantis’ State of the State address might be as much for Iowa voters as it is for Floridians
-
Polish farmers suspend their blockade at the Ukrainian border after a deal with the government
-
Former Raiders linebacker Jack Squirek, best known for Super Bowl 18 pick-six, dies at 64
-
Opinion: Chris Wallace leaves CNN to go 'where the action' is. Why it matters
-
'There were no aliens': Miami police clarify after teen fight spawns viral conspiracy theory
-
Martin Sheen, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli listed as guests at RFK Jr.'s birthday fundraiser — and none of them are attending
-
Colts coach Shane Steichen 'felt good' about failed final play that ended season