A recently unearthed ancient Roman restaurant in Pompeii shows what it was like to eat fast-food in 79 AD

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Mary MeisenzahlDec 29, 2020, 23:26 IST
A recently unearthed ancient Roman restaurant in Pompeii shows what it was like to eat fast-food in 79 AD

Pompeii fast food.Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

  • Archaeologists uncovered an ancient Roman food counter on December 26.
  • The counter was preserved underground by the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
  • Remains show that ancient Romans could buy wine, goat, duck, and other meals.

Archaeologists uncovered an ancient fast food counter in the ruins of Pompeii, and it shows that tastes haven't changed very much in the last 2,000 years.

The site, which was first discovered in 2019, was buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The excavation revealed a hot food and drink counter, the equivalent of street food or fast food today, called a thermopolium, literally "places where hot drinks are sold." At least 80 of these fast food shops have been found in Pompeii so far, but this site was the first to be excavated intact.

Read more: Restaurants have battled each other with breakfast offerings for years. In 2021, they'll have a new competitor - big food companies.

Here's how ancient Romans enjoyed fast food.

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The counter has frescoes that remained intact, showing some animals that were served, including chicken and ducks, like a modern menu with pictures today.

The counter has frescoes that remained intact, showing some animals that were served, including chicken and ducks, like a modern menu with pictures today.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Reuters

The rooster was painted in "Pompeiian red," typical of art at the time.

The rooster was painted in "Pompeiian red," typical of art at the time.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

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Another fresco showed a leashed dog, which might have served as a reminder to customers to keep pets on leashes.

Another fresco showed a leashed dog, which might have served as a reminder to customers to keep pets on leashes.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

The shop owner would display hot food in terra cotta jars into the holes along the countertop.

The shop owner would display hot food in terra cotta jars into the holes along the countertop.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Reuters

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Archaeologists compared the setup to soup containers at salad bars today,

Archaeologists compared the setup to soup containers at salad bars today,
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

Fast food restaurants like this one "provided the urban class an opportunity to have a quick hot meal" historian James Ermatinger wrote. Most of the menu was designed to be eaten on the go, a convenience necessary for many poor Romans who lacked kitchens.

Fast food restaurants like this one "provided the urban class an opportunity to have a quick hot meal" historian James Ermatinger wrote. Most of the menu was designed to be eaten on the go, a convenience necessary for many poor Romans who lacked kitchens.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Business Insider

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"Initial analyses confirm how the painted images represent, at least in part, the foods and beverages effectively sold inside," staff anthropologist Valeria Amoretti told the AP.

"Initial analyses confirm how the painted images represent, at least in part, the foods and beverages effectively sold inside," staff anthropologist Valeria Amoretti told the AP.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

Remains of ducks, goats, pig, fish, and snails were all found, indicating the type of food available.

Remains of ducks, goats, pig, fish, and snails were all found, indicating the type of food available.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

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"We know what they were eating that day," Pompeii Archaeological Park chief Massimo Osanna told Rai TV.

"We know what they were eating that day," Pompeii Archaeological Park chief Massimo Osanna told Rai TV.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

The dishes, including wine with ground fava beans, indicate what common people ate, as the eateries were mostly looked down upon by Roman elites.

The dishes, including wine with ground fava beans, indicate what common people ate, as the eateries were mostly looked down upon by Roman elites.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Business Insider

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Archaeologists found human remains at the site, indicating that people were there when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Other remains may have been moved or placed by earlier excavators.

Archaeologists found human remains at the site, indicating that people were there when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Other remains may have been moved or placed by earlier excavators.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP

Source: Associated Press

Notably, archaeologists also found the entire skeleton of a small dog, a rarity for the time.

Notably, archaeologists also found the entire skeleton of a small dog, a rarity for the time.
Pompeii fast food. Luigi Spina/Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP
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