Ancient Egyptian Vase Found in Pompeii Fast-Food Stall
Recently, archaeologists announced the discovery of an Egyptian vase in what used to be a fast-food kitchen in Pompeii.
On November 6, the Pompeii Archaeological Park shared details on social media about the find, stating that a pottery situla, or vase, was discovered in the thermopolium of Regio V, which was an ancient snack bar.
According to officials, “This glass vessel is typically found in the Vesuvian area as an ornamental piece for gardens and public spaces, but here it was clearly repurposed as a kitchen item.”
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD led to the demise of the Thermopolium along with much of Pompeii.
While the excavation occurred in 2023, the announcement about the vase only came this month.
Archaeologists also uncovered other interesting aspects of the Thermopolium, such as a service area and a modest apartment on the second floor, which shopkeepers used for living quarters.
Officials pointed out that “we can find here a certain creativity in decorating both sacred and everyday spaces.”
The kitchen discovered on the first floor contained various cooking utensils, including mortars and Mediterranean-origin pots, as well as numerous wine amphorae still in their original positions.
Gabriel Zustriegel, the park director, commented that the vase showcases the good taste of its owner, even though the establishment is viewed as “lower-class.” He noted, “There is a certain creativity here in the decoration of both sacred and everyday spaces, with objects that mirror the fluidity of taste, style, and possibly religious ideas within the Roman Empire.”
Zustriegel added that this phenomenon is not exclusive to the elite but can be found in the back rooms of Pompeii’s street food shops, indicating a broader cultural exchange, including Eastern religious forms and Egyptian cults, which possibly influenced early Christianity.
Moreover, officials highlighted that the site serves as a testament to the commercial and cultural interactions that defined Pompeii.
In recent months, the Pompeii Archaeological Park has reported other notable archaeological developments. For instance, ancient gardens were reestablished this summer with thousands of historically accurate plants. They also revealed new insights about a family’s struggle for survival during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in early spring.
