Bread, Wine, and Fish: How the Archaeology of Food Tells the Story of Life in Herculaneum

The Herculaneum Archaeological Park has launched a new thematic itinerary titled "I luoghi del cibo a Ercolano" (The Places of Food in Herculaneum), offering visitors a deep dive into the gastronomic culture of the Roman city buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD. The guided path leads through ancient street food stalls known as thermopolia, specialized wine shops, and the bakery of Sextus Patulcius Felix, where stone mills and ovens remain intact. The experience extends to the Casa dei Cervi to illustrate the social rituals of elite banqueting and includes a supplementary exhibition at Villa Campolieto featuring organic remains preserved by the eruption.

This initiative highlights the growing trend of using sensory and daily-life narratives to make archaeological sites more accessible and engaging for modern audiences. By connecting ancient habits—such as quick meals consumed on the street—to contemporary concepts like street food, the park bridges the gap between antiquity and the present. Furthermore, the inclusion of bio-archaeological data, such as how stone-ground bread affected the dental health of residents, provides a holistic view of Roman life that moves beyond traditional architectural history into the realm of social and biological science.