[ti:Dig of Pompeii Fast-Food Place Reveals Ancient Tastes]
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[00:00.04]Scientists in Italy have uncovered a fast-food eatery
[00:05.68]in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii.
[00:10.76]The remains help in the understanding of foods
[00:14.72]that were popular among Pompeii's citizens.
[00:19.96]Pompeii Archaeological Park's chief Massimo Osanna said Saturday
[00:26.88]that about 80 such fast-food eateries have been found at Pompeii.
[00:33.56]But the latest find is the first time such a hot-food-drink eatery
[00:39.72]— known as a thermopolium — was completely uncovered.
[00:45.96]Plant and animal specialists are still examining remains from the site.
[00:52.20]Some of the thermopolium's counter area
[00:55.76]was partly dug up in 2019 during work to repair Pompeii's ruins.
[01:03.00]Since then, archaeologists have kept digging.
[01:07.52]They uncovered a large counter area with wide holes on its top.
[01:14.52]The counter held deep containers for hot food.
[01:19.40]The front of the counter included works of art showing ducks and chickens.
[01:25.16]The images brightened the eatery and also likely served as food advertisements.
[01:32.12]Another painting shows a dog on a leash.
[01:36.16]Valeria Amoretti is an anthropologist at Pompeii.
[01:40.84]She said early studies confirm "how the painted images represent,
[01:46.88]at least in part, the foods and beverages effectively sold inside."
[01:53.64]She noted that small pieces of duck bones were found in one of the food containers.
[02:00.04]Remains from goats, pigs, fish and snails also were found.
[02:06.96]At the bottom of a wine container were remains of ground fava beans.
[02:13.04]In ancient times, the beans were added to wine
[02:16.84]for taste and to lighten its color, Amoretti said.
[02:22.20]Massimo Osanna added, "We know what they were eating that day."
[02:27.40]He was talking about the day of Pompeii's destruction in 79 A.D.
[02:34.44]The food remains are examples of "what's popular with the common folk,"
[02:39.84]Osanna told Italy's Rai state TV.
[02:44.60]He added that wealthy Romans did not eat at such street-food businesses.
[02:50.76]One surprise find at the dig was the complete skeleton of a dog.
[02:56.32]The scientists involved in the dig noted it was
[03:00.40]not a "large muscular dog like that painted on the counter.
[03:05.24]Instead it was a very small adult dog,
[03:09.36]whose height at shoulder level was 20 to 25 centimeters, Amoretti said.
[03:16.40]She added it is rare to find remains from ancient times of such small dogs.
[03:23.44]The find may show that Romans at the time
[03:27.24]were carrying out "selective breeding" of dogs.
[03:32.12]The scientists also found a bronze serving device, nine food containers,
[03:38.52]a couple of drink containers and a container for oil at the site.
[03:45.08]Successful restaurant owners know that a good location is important for business.
[03:51.84]The operator of this ancient fast-food eatery
[03:55.52]seemed to have found a good place for doing business.
[04:00.12]Osanna noted that right outside the eatery was a small square with a fountain.
[04:06.16]Another thermopolium was nearby.
[04:10.16]Pompeii was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius,
[04:15.60]which is near present-day Naples.
[04:19.36]Much of the ancient city still lies uncovered.
[04:23.08]The site is one of Italy's most popular areas for visitors.
[04:29.48]I'm Ashley Thompson.
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