Missing classic ingredients, a pizza painting was found at Pompeii.

Discovering the Ancient Origins of Pizza in Pompeii

Archeologists working at the ancient volcanic ruins of Pompeii, Italy, made an intriguing find that could rewrite the history of the beloved Italian dish. They stumbled upon a painting of what appeared to be a pizza, but with a unique twist.

The depiction showcases a circular, flat piece of dough, but instead of the familiar toppings we enjoy today, this ancient pie featured pomegranate, spices and herbs, a date, and what seems to be a type of pesto, according to the press release from the Archeological Park of Pompeii.

According to the news release, this painting could be a distant ancestor of the modern dish, offering a glimpse into the evolution of pizza throughout history.

The artwork also features a goblet of wine and a silver platter holding fruit and bread, described as a focaccia. However, two essential ingredients of traditional pizza are missing — tomato and mozzarella. As the Associated Press notes, these ingredients were not yet available during that time period, as tomatoes were introduced to Italy much later.

The painting, identified as a fresco, adorns the wall of a house that once stood next to a bakery before Pompeii was buried in ash in 79 A.D. Pompeii site director Gabriel Zuchtriegal describes it as a perfect example of the juxtaposition between the “luxury of silver trays” and a “frugal and simple meal,” as reported by the BBC.

This 2,000-year-old painting discovered in the ruins of Pompeii shows what may be a distant ancestor of modern pizza: a flat, round piece of dough with toppings. But it’s not a pizza, the archaeologists who found it insisted on Tuesday. https://t.co/nb3ZGLwxSr pic.twitter.com/augPQji381

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 28, 2023

Zuchtriegal reflects on the connection between this ancient dish and the modern pizza, stating, “How can we fail to think, in this regard, of pizza, also born as a ‘poor’ dish in southern Italy, which has now conquered the world and is also served in starred restaurants.”

The archeologists made this fascinating discovery while excavating the atrium of the house, which had been partially dug between 1888 and 1891. They resumed their research in January, leading to the unearthing of not only the painting but also the skeletons of three bodies near an oven.

Italy’s Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, expresses his awe at Pompeii’s continuous ability to surprise, calling it a treasure trove of global significance that deserves our utmost attention.

According to Reader’s Digest, the invention of modern pizza is believed to have taken place in Italy during the 1700s. However, depending on one’s definition of pizza, its origins could date back even further. The publication highlights that Persians were baking flatbreads topped with cheese and dates, which aligns with the description of the Pompeii “pizza” painting.

Pompeii’s remarkable preservation is owed to the thick volcanic ash that enveloped the city after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Approximately one-third of the city remains buried, offering a vast expanse of unexplored neighborhoods and houses, as stated in the Pompeii news release.

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