Ancient Big Macs

 

Ancient Big Macs

Fast food venues are not a modern phenomenon. In fact, the ancient Romans had their own version of McDonald’s nearly 2,000 years ago, according to NPR.

Archaeologists in Italy recently excavated a complete Roman food counter in the ancient city of Pompeii, which was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The volcanic ash, however, has helped preserve most of the city and allowed researchers to come across a myriad of findings, including the recent food counter.

Known as a thermopolium, the old stall offered a very rich menu: Researchers found remains of duck, goat, pig, fish and snail in earthen pots, sometimes mixed together in the same dish.

While there was no written menu, the team found drawings of animals – such as roosters and ducks – which could have served as a type of indicator of what foods the customers could order.

Researchers also uncovered a depiction of the stall itself, which might have served as a logo or trademark.

This is the first time archaeologists have uncovered a thermopolium in its entirety, but they were actually very common in the Roman period. About 80 others have been discovered in Pompeii.

The archaeological team hopes that further analysis of the area can reveal more about the Roman diet and what these ancient fast food stalls sold.