Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

HISTORY & CULTURE · December 28, 2020

What’s Cooking? New Thermopolium Uncovered in Pompeii

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

Over what was a relatively quiet holiday weekend for most Italians, news was released about a recent discovery at Pompeii. The ancient archaeological site has been making headlines lately and just recently I wrote about the new plaster casts from Civita Giuliana. This time the news detailed incredible finds about a thermopolium, a sort of snack bar of Pompeii, that has been fully excavated in the archaeological site. If you’ve visited Pompeii, you’ve surely seen at least one of the site’s over 80 thermopolia. They’re easy to spot with their long counters that once held terracotta containers of food and drinks. There have been many remarkable discoveries over the centuries at the thermopolia, including the how food was stored, served, and even what types of food were prepared. Yet this thermopolium has provided even more depth to our understanding of life in Pompeii before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

Even better, the discovery of this thermopolium offered the chance to fully excavate a remarkably well-preserved snack bar using all the latest technology and experience as well as taking advantage of an interdisciplinary team of scientists and researchers. The objects found and the terracotta food containers at the thermopolium are being examined by a team that includes the site’s archaeologists and physical anthropologists, as well as archaeozoology and archaeobotany specialists, geologists, and volcanologists. Even though the work is still in progress, the initial results offer an incredible glimpse of the Mediterranean diet and what types of food the passersby in ancient Pompeii could choose from at this thermopolium.

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

The first analysis of the food containers has revealed that the beautiful frescoes that decorate the counters do indeed depict some of the food items that would have been served. On one part of the counter a fresco shows two mallard ducks laid out and ready to be prepared. In fact, researchers have found a fragment of a duck bone inside one of the terracotta containers in the bar. Apparently if you liked duck, this was the local thermopolium to hit up. Along with the duck bone, they’ve found remains of swine, goat, fish, and land snails – combined in a variety of options that might not appeal quite so much to modern day visitors to Pompeii. Yet it is a fascinating glimpse into what was eaten in the ancient city.

The thermopolia were primarily used by craftsmen, merchants, and lower classes who lived in smaller houses that didn’t include kitchens. So these small cook shops selling hot food and drinks were an essential part of the city, which explains why so many have been discovered.

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

This thermopolium is the first to be uncovered in the Regio V area of Pompeii, which is a large area in the northern part of the archaeological site that has only been partially excavated. Yet what has already been uncovered in the area suggests there are many more archaeological treasures waiting to be uncovered. During excavations in 2019, the thermopolium was discovered and its beautiful fresco of a nereid riding a seahorse created a lot of attention. Due to the striking nature of this fresco, pictured above, the area was further excavated – a decision that has proven to have been a very smart one given the rare finds here.

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

That fresco wasn’t the only impressive one decorating this particular thermopolium. Following along the bar next to the fresco of the nereid there are many more scenes that are equally intriguing. You’ll spot a dog with a collar, the two ducks, a large rooster, and a shop scene showing a counter with food containers and amphorae (large food storage vases) that could even be a depiction of this very thermopolium as many amphorae were also discovered here during the excavation.

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

Unfortunately, modern day researchers have found that they weren’t the first to be digging here. In the 17th century, illegal excavators dug tunnels into Pompeii, especially in areas around the periphery of the site like Regio V, in search for precious objects they could carry away. (This wasn’t just an occurrence in the 17th century, but has continued to be a problem.) But the damage discovered at the thermopolium suggests that the illegal excavations took place here centuries ago. While there were human bones of victims of the eruption of Vesuvius found in the thermopolium, they were moved and dispersed most likely by these intruders in the 17th century.

(Photo ©Luigi Spina​)

Although there are always imperfections in what is found, discoveries like this thermopolium and the new plaster casts from Civita Giuliana provide more pieces of the puzzle that continue to give us a more complete picture of life in ancient Pompeii. And every additional detail truly is a treasure. I hope visitors will be able to visit this thermopolium one day soon to see firsthand the vibrancy of the colors. I know I would love to see the thick brush strokes of the plants painted along the counter and the fine details in the fresco of the nereid in person. With all its variety, it’s a captivating scene.

It’s hard to resist trying to bring the space back to life in the mind’s eye. Just when it seems within grasp it hits you that this snack bar was created 2,000 years ago. Yet here it is in front of our eyes.

Posted In: HISTORY & CULTURE · Tagged: Campania Travel, Pompeii

You’ll Also Love

Moon Amalfi CoastMoon Amalfi Coast with Capri, Naples & Pompeii, 2nd Edition
Procida Wins the Italian Capital of Culture for 2022!
Life in Plaster: New Discoveries from Pompeii

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Happy Holidays from Amalfi

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

The 66th Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare The 66th Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare is here! This weekend is full of exciting events as the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics returns to Amalfi after 6 years. This event sees teams from Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice compete in a boat race in historic galleons as well as a historic parade. Stay tuned for photos and videos from the parade today and the boat race tomorrow. Forza Amalfi! 💙

#amalfi #amalficoast #ciaoamalfi #visitamalfi #italyhistory #italytravel
Last month I did a mini staycation in Positano and Last month I did a mini staycation in Positano and I loved it! Even though it’s just down the coast from Amalfi, I enjoyed the quiet of the early morning and breakfast with those famous Positano views. And a relaxed dinner without a long (and twisty!) drive home. This view from above Arienzo beach is one of my favorites of Positano.

#positano #amalficoast #positanoitaly #amalficoastitaly #costieraamalfitana #italytravel #positanoview #arienzo #amalficoastview #ciaoamalfi
That this place is just down the coastline is stil That this place is just down the coastline is still a marvel to me. Yesterday morning the colors in Positano were brilliant. 💙

#Positano #AmalfiCoast #ciaoamalfi #amalficoastitaly #positanoitaly #amalficoastbeaches #positanobeach #positanoview #positanoamalficoast #expatlife #italyexpat #italyexpatlife #italytravel #italyiloveyou
You know that feeling when you’re walking around You know that feeling when you’re walking around with something weighing on your mind? I didn’t even realize that’s what I’ve been doing until I had a follow up exam yesterday and got the all clear. At the same office in Amalfi where this whole journey with breast cancer began last June. I took a different sort of walk afterwards and that cloud over Amalfi made me laugh a bit. All clear! Float away little cloud of worry that has been following me around. Vattene! 🌬
After Flavio Gioia, the next natural stop for the After Flavio Gioia, the next natural stop for the #AmalfiCoastCompass series is the Arsenale, where the galleys and ships were built and repaired during the Republic of Amalfi. Just a few steps from Piazza Flavio Gioia, the Arsenale is the only medieval shipyard in Italy to have survived intact. Dating back to the 11th century, its two long aisles with stone cross vaults and pointed arches creates an evocative space.

Today the beautifully restored Arsenale is the setting for art exhibitions and cultural events. Yesterday was the opening for Kerameikos (April 8 - May 10, 2022), an exhibition of contemporary Vietri ceramic arts curated by professor and art critic Massimo Bignardi and organized by @agarte_fucinadellearti. The show brings together 160 works by four master ceramicists from the Amalfi Coast: Salvatore Autuori, Vincenzo Caruso, Giuseppe Di Muro, and Ferdinando Vassallo.

Take a look through the photos to see a glimpse of the exhibit. Second photo: I loved the bright colors and geometric shapes of Salvatore Autuori's work. Third photo: beautiful historical elements in pieces by Giuseppe Di Muro. Fourth photo: look closely at the textures from nature in Ferdinando Vassallo's ceramic series. Fifth photo: the mix of colors in this vase by Enzo Caruso was stunning in person.

The exhibit is free to visit and is open from 10am-1pm/ 4pm-4pm Wednesday to Sunday. For more information check out www.arsenalediamalfi.it.
It’s already back to rainy in Amalfi, but yester It’s already back to rainy in Amalfi, but yesterday was something splendid when the sun came out. Colors quite like this don’t come along with the storms. I’ll take it all!
One of the first things I noticed about the Amalfi One of the first things I noticed about the Amalfi Coast was that I had a lot of questions. It was unlike any place I had ever been. Just over 15 years later, I still have plenty of questions and am constantly seeing new things. This place really has taught me to slow down and look closer.

With that spirit, I’m starting a new series called #AmalfiCoastCompass where I’ll show you places you might have missed, things you might have wondered about, and ideas for your next trip to the Amalfi Coast.

There’s no better place to start the Compass Series than with this statue in Amalfi. Have you noticed it before in the middle of Piazza Flavio Gioia? It’s a statue of Flavio Gioia, a figure from the 13th century credited with inventing the compass for sailing. He stands holding a bussola, or compass, gazing intently downward at the instrument in his left hand while his right points forward. 

While the existence of this particular mariner is questionable, what is sure is that Amalfi was Italy’s first maritime republic and its sailors not only crisscrossed the Mediterranean and traveled as far east as Constantinople but also created maritime codes that were used for centuries. So while the exact creator or individuals behind the perfection of the compass for navigational use will likely never be known, the statue represents Amalfi’s contribution to travel as we know it today. 

This statue was created by Alfonso Balzico, an Italian sculptor born in 1825 in Cava de' Tirreni - not far from Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast. He studied in Naples and created many important statues around Italy. His statue of Flavio Gioia was created in 1892 and won a gold medal at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris. (Flavio Gioia was still getting around the world!) It was on display in Rome after Balzico's death in 1901 until the city of Amalfi acquired the statue and it was placed in Piazza Flavio Gioia in 1926. It’s been moved a couple of times (at least) but now it’s located in the center of the traffic circle surrounded by a fountain and little landscaped garden. And one last little curiosity: the statue of Flavio Gioia is oriented facing north.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2022 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue