VOA慢速英语--庞贝古城里挖出了古代快餐店遗骸

Scientists in Italy have uncovered a fast-food eatery in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. The remains¹ help in the understanding of foods that were popular among Pompeii's citizens.

Pompeii Archaeological Park's chief Massimo Osanna said Saturday that about 80 such fast-food eateries have been found at Pompeii. But the latest find is the first time such a hot-food-drink eatery — known as a thermopolium — was completely uncovered.

Plant and animal specialists are still examining remains from the site.

Some of the thermopolium's counter area was partly dug up in 2019 during work to repair Pompeii's ruins. Since then, archaeologists have kept digging. They uncovered a large counter area with wide holes on its top. The counter held deep containers for hot food.

The front of the counter included works of art showing ducks and chickens. The images brightened the eatery and also likely served as food advertisements. Another painting shows a dog on a leash².

Valeria Amoretti is an anthropologist³ at Pompeii. She said early studies confirm "how the painted images represent, at least in part, the foods and beverages⁵ effectively sold inside."

She noted⁶ that small pieces of duck bones were found in one of the food containers. Remains from goats, pigs, fish and snails⁷ also were found. At the bottom of a wine container were remains of ground fava beans. In ancient times, the beans were added to wine for taste and to lighten its color, Amoretti said.

Massimo Osanna added, "We know what they were eating that day." He was talking about the day of Pompeii's destruction in 79 A.D. The food remains are examples of "what's popular with the common folk," Osanna told Italy's Rai state TV. He added that wealthy Romans did not eat at such street-food businesses.

One surprise find at the dig was the complete skeleton of a dog. The scientists involved in the dig noted it was not a "large muscular dog like that painted on the counter. Instead it was a very small adult dog, whose height at shoulder level was 20 to 25 centimeters, Amoretti said. She added it is rare to find remains from ancient times of such small dogs. The find may show that Romans at the time were carrying out "selective breeding" of dogs.

The scientists also found a bronze serving device, nine food containers, a couple of drink containers and a container for oil at the site.

Successful restaurant owners know that a good location is important for business. The operator of this ancient fast-food eatery seemed to have found a good place for doing business. Osanna noted that right outside the eatery was a small square with a fountain. Another thermopolium was nearby.

Pompeii was destroyed by the volcanic⁸ eruption⁹ of Mount Vesuvius, which is near present-day Naples. Much of the ancient city still lies uncovered. The site is one of Italy's most popular areas for visitors.

Words in This Story

leash - n. a long, thin piece of rope, chain, etc., that is used for holding a dog or other animal

anthropologist - n. a scientist who studies the human races, origins, societies, and cultures

beverage⁴ - n. something you can drink

breeding - n. the activity of keeping and caring for animals or plants in order to produce more animals or plants of a particular kind

fountain - n. a device or structure that sends a stream of water into the air in a garden, park, etc.

1 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

2 leash   

n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住

参考例句：

• I reached for the leash,but the dog got in between.我伸手去拿系狗绳，但被狗挡住了路。
• The dog strains at the leash,eager to be off.狗拼命地扯拉皮带，想挣脱开去。

3 anthropologist   

n.人类学家，人类学者

参考例句：

• The lecturer is an anthropologist.这位讲师是人类学家。
• The anthropologist unearthed the skull of an ancient human at the site.人类学家在这个遗址挖掘出那块古人类的颅骨。

4 beverage   

n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料

参考例句：

• The beverage is often colored with caramel.这种饮料常用焦糖染色。
• Beer is a beverage of the remotest time.啤酒是一种最古老的饮料。

5 beverages   

n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 控制酒类销售的法规
• regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 含酒精饮料的销售管理条例

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 snails   

n.蜗牛；迟钝的人；蜗牛( snail的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I think I'll try the snails for lunch—I'm feeling adventurous today. 我想我午餐要尝一下蜗牛——我今天很想冒险。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Most snails have shells on their backs. 大多数蜗牛背上有壳。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

9 eruption   

n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作

参考例句：

• The temple was destroyed in the violent eruption of 1470 BC.庙宇在公元前1470年猛烈的火山爆发中摧毁了。
• The eruption of a volcano is spontaneous.火山的爆发是自发的。