Antique fresco in Pompeii spotted ancient pizza and even pineapple

Among the ruins of ancient Pompeii, a striking still life fresco has been found that resembles a pizza, although the dish appears to be missing two main ingredients – tomatoes and mozzarella – and includes a product that looks suspiciously like a pineapple.

As writes The Guardian, the 2,000-year-old fresco was discovered during excavations in the Regio IX area of ​​the Pompeii Archaeological Park, which is located near Naples, the birthplace of pizza. The image was on a wall in what is believed to have been the foyer of the house that housed the bakery in an annex.

The fresco appears to be a round focaccia bread on a silver tray serving as a stand for various fruits, including a pomegranate and possibly a date.

However, the “pineapple” on the plate most likely represents something completely different, since the first European to encounter this fruit was Christopher Columbus on Guadeloupe in 1493.

Experts say the bread is seasoned with spices or moretum, a herb-infused cheese paste eaten by the ancient Romans. Next to the bread is a goblet of wine, as well as dried fruits, dates, pomegranate and a garland of yellow arbutus (strawberry fruit).

The still life is believed to have been inspired by the Greek ritual of hospitality, and as such the tray represented gifts that were offered to guests as part of a tradition dating back to the Hellenistic period. Such images were widespread in the houses of ancient Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, both of which were razed to the ground during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

However, it is unusual to find such a fresco containing an image of focaccia, writes The Guardian.

Gabriel Zuchtrigel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, said the fresco appears to reflect the contrast between “a modest and simple meal” and “the luxury of silver trays and the sophistication of artistic and literary representations.”

“How can we not think in this regard of pizza, which was also born as a ‘poor’ dish of southern Italy, but has now conquered the world and is also served in famous restaurants,” Zuchtrigel said.

Naples is the birthplace of the “margherita”, a traditional pizza made from a simple mixture of tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil, and the idea of ​​garnishing this dish with fruit infuriates many Italians.

But Gino Sorbillo, the owner of one of the oldest pizzerias in Naples, is convinced that the image on the fresco in Pompeii is actually a pizza. “In ancient Pompeii, we already knew that there were varieties of flatbread made from grain, water, salt, and possibly beer as leavening,” he said. “Then they could cover the tortilla with vegetables or fish of that time… It was an ancient type of pizza.”

He added that during the ancient Roman period, fruit may have been considered more of a main course. When it comes to fruit on pizza these days, he says, “You can use fruit, like figs, or strawberries if it’s a sweet pizza.”

But when asked if the fresco resolved the dispute over the pineapple on the pizza, Sorbillo resolutely replied: “No.”

“Tastes are tastes,” he added. “We make traditional pizza and would never use pineapple.”

As a result of the eruption of Vesuvius, about 2000 people died. The ruins were discovered in the 16th century, and the first excavations began in 1748.

Excavations on island 10 in Regio IX, an area of ​​the city that housed residences, workshops and a bakery, began in February. The skeletal remains of the three victims, two women and a child, were found in May in a bakery where they were thought to have sought refuge. Frescoes have also been found on the walls depicting a mythical scene with Apollo and Daphne on one and Poseidon and Amymone on the other.

The remains of two other victims, believed to be two men in their 50s, were found in another part of the site in mid-May. It was believed that the men died as a result of the earthquake that accompanied the eruption of Vesuvius. It is believed that one of them raised his hand in an attempt to defend himself against the falling wall. Nearby were found beads from a necklace and six coins, two of which date back to the middle of the second century BC.

Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said Pompeii “never ceases to amaze.” “This is a treasure chest that always opens new treasures,” he added.