New painting discovered in Pompeii reveals ancient precursor to pizza

Pompeii, the famous archaeological site in Italy, has yielded yet another fascinating discovery. Researchers at the site recently uncovered a 2,000-year-old fresco painting that suggests the first pizza precursors may have been topped with fruit. The painting, found in the atrium of a house connected to a bakery, features a round, bready dish placed next to a wine chalice and an assortment of fruits and flowers displayed on a silver platter. While the doughy disk bears a resemblance to modern pizza, experts believe it is more likely to depict focaccia bread covered in fruits, spices, and condiments.

According to a statement from the Pompeii Archaeological Park press office, the absence of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, two vital ingredients of the pizza we know today, indicates that the image represents a type of flatbread known as mensa, which served as both food and a plate during Roman times. Tomatoes did not arrive in Europe until the 16th century, and the first recorded mention of mozzarella in relation to pizza dates back to the 18th century, when the dish was invented in Naples.

The non-pizza painting was discovered alongside what appeared to be ovens, further supporting the theory that it depicts a bread-based dish. Additionally, the juxtaposition of the meal, often associated with lower social classes, being served on fine silver dining ware is reminiscent of our current perception of pizza – a dish that has transcended its humble origins and achieved global fame.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii archaeological site, noted the similarities between the ancient meal in the painting and the evolution of pizza. He remarked, “When considering this matter, how can we not think about pizza, also born as a ‘poor’ dish in southern Italy that has now conquered the world and is served in Michelin star restaurants.”

While this discovery was made in Regio IX, one of the nine districts of Pompeii, there is still much more to uncover in the ancient city. Pompeii was buried in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, preserving the city and its inhabitants in time. Although the remains were rediscovered in the 16th century, only about two-thirds of Pompeii has been excavated and studied since then, leaving many unexplored areas for future archaeological endeavors.

The recent uncovering of the painting adds to the growing body of knowledge about the daily life and customs of ancient Romans. Whether it’s the origins of pizza or other aspects of their culture, researchers remain eager to delve deeper into the secrets preserved within the ruins of Pompeii. As the excavations continue, there is no doubt that more intriguing findings, pizza-related or not, await those willing to uncover the past.