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Pompeii Excavation Reveals Surprising Diet of Enslaved People

12/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Archaeologists in Pompeii's slave quarters uncovered food remains, including fruit and amphorae of fava beans, revealing enslaved people's diet before the Mount Vesuvius eruption.
The Pompeii Archaeological Park notes these foods supplemented grain-based diets of enslaved individuals, indicating nutrition exceeding that of free citizens.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, emphasized the complexity of the slave system.
The study is part of ongoing research on ancient Roman food practices.

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Story summary

Archaeologists in Pompeii's slave quarters uncovered food remains, including fruit and amphorae of fava beans, revealing enslaved people's diet before the Mount Vesuvius eruption.
The Pompeii Archaeological Park notes these foods supplemented grain-based diets of enslaved individuals, indicating nutrition exceeding that of free citizens.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, emphasized the complexity of the slave system.
The study is part of ongoing research on ancient Roman food practices.