Archaeologists are discovering a well-preserved old snack bar in the ruins of Pompeii

The city of Pompeii was buried in a devastating volcanic eruption in 79 AD, but archaeologists are still discovering extraordinary structures in the region. On Saturday they presented their latest discovery: a very well-preserved old snack bar.

The Thermopolium of Regio V would have been a store where hot food was sold, the equivalent of a modern street cart or fast food establishment, officials said. It was partially excavated in 2019 and was fully revealed on Saturday.

Objects such as an image of a nereid riding a seahorse and a fresco of gladiators in combat were found in the ruins. During the most recent phase of the excavations, archaeologists discovered other scenes of colorful still lifes, including depictions of animals that were probably sold in the store, such as ducks, ducks and a rooster.

There was also a representation of a dog with a leash that seemed to serve as a warning, as well as a complete skeleton of a dog between the store doors.

“You can find a mocking inscription scratched on the frame surrounding the dog painting: NICIA CINAEDE CACATOR – literally, “Nicias (probably a freed from Greece) Shameless Sh *****!” officials said. “It was probably left by a prankster who was trying to make fun of the owner or someone who worked at the Thermopolium.”

Archaeologists also found containers containing bone fragments of nearly 2,000-year-old animals that were sold there, stored on the store counter. Remains of pork, fish, snails and beef were found in the containers, which archaeologist Valeria Amoretti said indicated “the wide variety of animal products used in the preparation of the dishes.”

In the small square in front of the store was a fountain and a water tower. Inside the shop were nine amphorae, a bronze bowl called a patera, two flasks, and other ceramic jars.

Human bones were also found at the site, some belonging to a 50-year-old man who appeared to have been in bed when the eruption occurred.

“In addition to being another vision of daily life in Pompeii, the possibilities of studying this thermopoly are exceptional, as for the first time an area of ​​this type has been excavated in its entirety and has been was able to carry out all the analyzes that current technology allows, “said Massimo Osanna of the Pompeii Archaeological Park. “The findings will be further analyzed in the laboratory and, in particular, the remains found in the dolia (terracotta containers) of the counter are expected to provide exceptional data to report on what was sold and what the diet was like.”

According to officials, Thermopolia, where residents enjoyed hot drinks and food, was very common in ancient Rome, when people used to consume food away from home. Only Pompeii had 80.