Discovery in Pompeii Unveils Ancient Painting of Fruit-Topped Bread: A Predecessor to Pizza

A recent discovery at the Pompeii archaeological site has sparked a debate among pizza lovers. A 2,000-year-old fresco painting was uncovered, depicting what appears to be a round, bready dish with toppings, resembling a pizza. However, experts argue that the painting actually represents a precursor to pizza, known as focaccia bread.

The painting, found in the atrium of a house connected to a bakery, shows the dish sitting next to a wine chalice and a variety of fruits and flowers, all arranged on a silver platter. While the doughy disk does resemble a pizza crust, researchers believe that the lack of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, two essential ingredients in modern pizza, suggests that it is not a true pizza.

Tomatoes did not arrive in Europe from the Americas until the 16th century, and mozzarella cheese was not commonly used in pizza until the 18th century. Instead, the painting likely represents mensa, a flatbread that served as both food and a plate during Roman times. It would have been topped with fruits like pomegranates and dates, as well as spices and condiments.

The discovery has sparked interest in the history of pizza and its evolution over time. Pizza, originally considered a “poor” dish in southern Italy, has now become a global phenomenon, served in Michelin star restaurants. The contrast between the humble origins of pizza and its current popularity is reminiscent of the juxtaposition seen in the painting, where a lower-class meal is served on fine silver dining ware.

While this discovery sheds light on the early precursors to pizza, there is still much to explore in Pompeii. The city, which was buried in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, offers a unique opportunity for researchers to study ancient Roman life. With only two-thirds of the city excavated and studied so far, there are likely more exciting discoveries awaiting those who continue to explore Pompeii.

In the meantime, pineapple pizza haters may take solace in the fact that the first pizza precursors were likely topped with fruit, providing a historical basis for their distaste.

What evidence supports the argument that the fresco painting depicts a forerunner to pizza rather than an authentic pizza?

A recent find at the Pompeii archaeological site has ignited a hot debate among pizza enthusiasts. Unearthed was a 2,000-year-old fresco painting depicting what appears to be a circular, bread-like dish with toppings that closely resembles a pizza. Yet, experts are divided, insisting that the painting actually showcases a forerunner to pizza called focaccia bread.

The painting, discovered in the atrium of a house connected to a bakery, displays the dish resting alongside a wine chalice, an assortment of fruits and flowers, all elegantly arranged on a silver platter. Although the doughy disc bears a striking resemblance to a pizza crust, researchers argue that the absence of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, two fundamental ingredients in modern pizza, suggests that it is not an authentic pizza.

The arrival of tomatoes in Europe from the Americas did not occur until the 16th century, and mozzarella cheese was not commonly paired with pizza until the 18th century. Instead, it is believed that the painting depicts mensa, a flatbread that served as both sustenance and a serving dish during Roman times. It would have been adorned with fruits such as pomegranates and dates, along with a blend of spices and condiments.

This discovery has sparked a renewed interest in the historical journey of pizza and its evolution throughout time. Originating as a humble “poor man’s” dish in southern Italy, pizza has indisputably achieved global recognition, even being served in esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants. The contrast between pizza’s modest beginnings and its current universal popularity mirrors the contrast portrayed in the painting, where a simple meal is presented on opulent silver tableware.

While this revelation unveils the early precursors to pizza, Pompeii harbors many more unexplored secrets. The city, buried in ash following Mount Vesuvius’s catastrophic eruption in AD 79, offers a truly unmatched opportunity for researchers to delve into ancient Roman life. With only two-thirds of the city excavated and studied thus far, the prospects for captivating discoveries in Pompeii remain boundless.

In the meantime, those with distaste for pineapple on pizza may take solace in the fact that early pizza precursors likely incorporated fruit as toppings, providing a historical basis for their culinary preferences.