Pompeii shocks with discovery of oldest fast food store

New discoveries show that the Romans knew how to enjoy street food, with a 2,000-year-old fast food shop still bearing surprising traces.

According to archaeologists, about 150 thermopolia (or snack bars) have been excavated. These eateries are scattered throughout the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Experts say these eateries served mainly to the lower classes of Pompeii society, who lacked cooking utensils or their own facilities for eating and socializing. The more than 100 thermopolia, dating back some 2,000 years, were once thriving businesses selling bread, salted fish, lentils, baked cheese and wine. Photo: allthatsinteresting.

“A thermopolium was unearthed with a tabletop decorated with beautiful frescoes,” said Massimo Ossana, curator of the site in Regio V, north of the Pompeii archaeological park. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

Regio V is not yet open to visitors. The recent excavation was the largest at the site since the 1960s. In February 2025, archaeologists discovered a fresco depicting Narcissus looking at his reflection in the water. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

Experts also found the remains of two women and three children huddled together. In addition, a saddled horse was also discovered in recent months. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

The discovery of the thermopolia provides evidence that helps archaeologists and historians gain a better understanding of the daily lives of people in ancient Pompeii. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

According to researchers, some thermopolia had jars used to store food such as dried meat. Essentially, thermopolia became the center of street life and social gatherings for the Roman people. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

Fast food outlets decorated with frescoes were often owned by people with a lot of money to spend on design and aesthetics to attract customers. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

The Roman elite of Pompeii largely avoided the thermopolia. Lower-class residents frequented the thermopolia to eat, socialize, and sometimes sign business contracts. However, the ancient city of Pompeii was "wiped out" when Mount Vesuvius erupted violently in 79 AD. More than 2,000 people died in the horrific tragedy. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

The ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii were first discovered in the 16th century. The first excavations were conducted in 1748. Since then, experts and archaeologists have made many important discoveries in Pompeii, revealing the lives of the Roman people nearly 2,000 years ago. Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

Readers are invited to watch the video : Revealing lost civilizations through archaeological remains.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/pompeii-gay-soc-voi-phat-heen-cua-hang-do-an-nhanh-co-xua-nhat-post2149055888.html