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 do experts use to argue that the ancient dish depicted in the Pompeii fresco is not pizza, but rather a precursor known as focaccia bread
A recent sensational find at the Pompeii archaeological site has ignited a fiery debate among pizza enthusiasts. Unearthed from the depths of history, a 2,000-year-old fresco has emerged, showcasing a tantalizing creation that bears a striking resemblance to the beloved round, bready dish we know and crave. However, experts are locked in a heated dispute, claiming that this ancient marvel is not actually pizza, but rather a precursor known as focaccia bread.
This captivating painting, discovered in the atrium of a house linked to a bakery, portrays the mysterious dish alongside a wine chalice and an artful array of fruits and flowers, all tastefully arranged on an exquisite silver platter. While the doughy disk undeniably bears the hallmark attributes of a pizza crust, diligent researchers argue that its lack of two fundamental ingredients – tomatoes and mozzarella cheese – undermines its pizza status.
It’s important to note that tomatoes, a quintessential aspect of modern pizza, did not grace European shores until the 16th century. Similarly, mozzarella cheese only gained prominence as a pizza topping much later, in the 18th century. Consequently, experts lean towards the theory that this remarkable painting depicts mensa, a flatbread popular during Roman times that served as both sustenance and a plate, adorned with a plethora of fruits like pomegranates and dates, as well as an assortment of tantalizing spices and condiments.
While this newfound artifact lends valuable insights into the early precursors of pizza, it simultaneously rekindles our fascination with the captivating history of this culinary marvel and how it has evolved over time. Once considered a humble dish reserved for the less fortunate in southern Italy, pizza has risen to astonishing heights, achieving global prominence even in Michelin-starred restaurants. The stark contrast between pizza’s modest origins and its current universal appeal mirrors the juxtaposition portrayed in the painting, where a simple, everyday meal rests on a regal silver platter.
Undoubtedly, the unearthing of this treasure trove of culinary curiosity has us yearning for a taste of ancient Roman life. The enigmatic ruins of Pompeii, engulfed by the wrath of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, offer an unparalleled opportunity for researchers to delve into the intriguing remnants of ancient Roman civilization. With merely two-thirds of the city explored thus far, Pompeii holds the promise of more thrilling discoveries that await the intrepid souls who continue to unravel its mysteries.
For now, those staunch opponents of pineapple on pizza may find solace in the fact that the earliest precursors likely boasted fruity toppings, providing a historical basis for their vehement distaste. The rich tapestry of pizza’s journey through time continues to unfold, and who knows what savory secrets Pompeii still holds?
