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Known as a termopolium, Latin for hot drinks
counter, the shop was discovered in the archaeological park's
Regio V site, which is not yet open the public, and unveiled on
Saturday.
Traces of nearly 2,000-year-old food were found in some of the
deep terra cotta jars containing hot food which the shop keeper
lowered into a counter with circular holes.
The front of the counter was decorated with brightly coloured
frescoes, some depicting animals that were part of the
ingredients in the food sold, such as a chicken and two ducks
hanging upside down.
"This is an extraordinary find. It's the first time we are
excavating an entire termopolium," said Massimo Ossana, director
of the Pompeii archaeological park.
Archaeologists also found a decorated bronze drinking bowl known
as a patera, ceramic jars used for cooking stews and soups, wine
flasks and amphora.
Pompeii, 23 km (14 miles) southeast of Naples, was home to
about 13,000 people when it was buried under ash, pumice pebbles
and dust as it endured the force of an eruption equivalent to
many atomic bombs.
"Our preliminary analyses shows that the figures drawn on the
front of the counter, represent, at least in part, the food and
drink that were sold there," said Valeria Amoretti, a site
anthropologist.
Amoretti said traces of pork, fish, snails and beef had been
found in the containers, a discovery she called a "testimony to
the great variety of animal products used to prepare dishes".
About two-thirds of the 66-hectare (165-acre) ancient town has
been uncovered. The ruins were not discovered until the 16th
century and organised excavations began about 1750.
A rare documentation of Greco-Roman life, Pompeii is one of
Italy's most popular attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
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