A newly discovered fresco dated back 2,000 years in the Region IX area of Pompeii’s archaeological park suggests a pizza without tomato and mozzarella but an item looking suspiciously like pineapple.
The painting was found on a wall in what is believed to have served as the hallway of a home with a bakery in its annexe.
The painting shows a food item resembling focaccia bread on a silver tray and served as a support fruits like pomegranates.
The pineapple however is almost certainly something else, as the first European to encounter the fruit was Christopher Columbus in 1493.
Experts suggest that the bread is seasoned with spices or ‘moretum’, which is a herb cheese spread eaten by ancient Romans accompanied by wine, dried fruit, dates, etc.
Such images were widespread in the homes of Pompeii before it was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
The still life could also suggest a Greek hospitality ritual known as ‘Xenia’. Still it would be pretty funny to think of ancient Romans arguing about whether fruits like pineapples go on pizzas – using frescos instead of Facebook.
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