Pompeii’s pizza precursor

Archaeologists working in the ruins of Pompeii have discovered a fresco they believe depicts an ancient form of pizza


Earliest known pizza?

Flat, round dough lacks traditional toppings of mozzarella and tomatoes, but archaeologists say it could be “distant ancestor to modern dish”

Toppings: Pomegranate, dates, spices and perhaps early form of pesto


Pompeii 
Rome 
ITALY

5km 3 miles
Mount Vesuvius
Ercolano (Herculaneum)
Pompeii
Gulf of Naples

AD79: Vesuvius erupts, burying cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under layers of pumice and ash 6-7 metres deep


Fresco found in atrium of house connected to bakery

150m 500ft

POMPEII EXCAVATION SITE


Sources: New York Times, Archaeological Park of Pompeii (APM) 
Pictures: APM 
© GRAPHIC NEWS