New discovery in Pompeii: discovered the forerunner of the pizza?

Researchers have discovered a 2,000-year-old mural at the site of Italy’s buried city of Pompeii that may represent a distant ancestor of pizza.

The photo, according to the archaeologists, shows a flatbread that probably served as the basis for various fruits. At first glance, the flat dough with a topping resembles today’s pizza. And according to an initial analysis by the researchers, the picture on the wall of an antique house could be a distant predecessor of today’s pizza, the archeology park announced Tuesday.

But, strictly speaking, it’s not pizza as we know it today, the researchers said. Because some characteristic features, such as tomatoes and mozzarella, were missing. According to legend, the modern pizza has only existed since 1889. A certain Raffaele Esposito then baked the first pizza in Naples. Garnished with green basil, white mozzarella and red tomatoes, it symbolized the colors of the Italian flag. In 2017, the “art of the Neapolitan pizza maker” was even included in the Unesco list of intangible cultural heritage.

In addition to the flatbread displayed on a tray, a wine cup can also be seen. According to archaeologists, the various fruits draped on the flatbread appear to be a pomegranate and dates. These are likely served with herbs or even some kind of pesto. In any case, yellowish and ocher dots give this impression. Next to it are dried fruits and a wreath of strawberry tree branches.

Archaeologists keep coming across spectacular finds in the city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. In 79 ash, mud and lava covered the ancient city after several volcanic eruptions. Pompeii was rediscovered in the 18th century. The preserved remnants of death and destruction still give a glimpse of life back then. Today the park is one of the most popular attractions in Italy. (aeg/sda/dpa)