Science Reveals Dietary Secrets of Ancient Pompeii

A new scientific study reveals the dietary habits of the inhabitants of ancient Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, analyzes charred organic remains and reveals that the Pompeians' diet was based on cereals (wheat, barley), legumes (fava beans), and tree crops (figs, walnuts, olives).

The consumption of fish was also widespread, and the import of dates from North Africa is of particular interest.

The study was conducted by the Research Laboratory of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii in collaboration with the Universities of Campania, Rome (La Sapienza), and New York.

Gabriele Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, emphasized that studies like this open up unforeseen horizons in research.