2000 year old 'Pizza' painting discovered in Pompeii

Pizza at a Pompeii FrescoPhoto byItalian Ministry of Culture

Archaeologists in Pompeii have found a 2,000-year-old painting depicting the oldest known pizza. The fresco was discovered during recent excavations in the ancient Roman city.

Though it lacks the classic pizza ingredients, Italy's Ministry of Culture believes it may represent an early version of the popular dish.

The painting was found in the hall of a house near a bakery in Regio IX, one of Pompeii's districts. The excavation work, which began earlier this year, has provided valuable insights into daily life before the catastrophic volcanic eruption that buried the city in AD 79.

The fresco shows the flatbread alongside a wine goblet, suggesting it might have been enjoyed with fruits like pomegranates or dates, spices, and a type of pesto sauce.

Pompeii director Gabriel Zuchtriegel drew a parallel between the painting and the humble origins of pizza in southern Italy. He noted the contrast between a simple meal and the luxury of silver trays. The finding adds to Pompeii's rich archaeological heritage and its significance as a Unesco World Heritage site.

In addition to the fresco, the remains of three individuals were discovered near the bakery's oven in the house's working areas. This discovery contributes to our understanding of Pompeii's inhabitants and their daily activities.

Pompeii's proximity to Naples, the modern-day hub of Italian pizza, reinforces its connection to the culinary tradition. The city continues to attract visitors from around the world, who can now appreciate the historical significance and its potential link to the early origins of this globally beloved dish.

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