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Egyptian-Style Vase Discovered in Pompeii's Thermopolium

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/19 .. e-vase-discovered-in-pompeii-s-thermopolium.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 7:09 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Cross‑Cultural Currents in Ancient Rome: The Egyptian Vase Unearthed in Pompeii’s Snack Bar

In a recent MoneyControl report, archaeologists announced a fascinating new piece of evidence that underscores the cosmopolitan nature of Roman society: an Egyptian‑style ceramic vase was uncovered inside a thermopolium (snack bar) in the ancient city of Pompeii. Although the find might seem at first glance to be a curiosity, it offers a wealth of insight into the complex web of trade, cultural exchange, and everyday life in the Roman Empire.

The Discovery

The vase was uncovered in 2023 during a routine excavation of a well‑known thermopolium in the southeastern part of Pompeii. The thermopolium, whose name comes from the Greek “thermopylae” (hot place), was a popular spot where residents and travelers could purchase hot food and drinks on the go. The site was under investigation after earlier work in the area had revealed a surprisingly intact mosaic floor and a small, previously undiscovered niche that seemed to have been used as a storage space.

According to the excavation team led by Dr. Giulia Rinaldi of the University of Naples, the vase was found in a shallow layer of ash and was carefully removed, wrapped in a protective bag, and transported to the laboratory for cleaning and analysis. The researchers note that the vase’s position—lying in the back corner of the thermopolium, almost forgotten—suggests that it was likely placed there by a customer or a merchant who was looking for a convenient place to set it aside.

Description of the Artifact

The vase is a ceramic jar that is approximately 30 cm in height and 20 cm in diameter, typical of an Egyptian “canopic jar” in terms of shape but not in function. Its clay body is a light, translucent yellowish hue, and it bears a detailed painted design that features lotus flowers, papyrus scrolls, and the iconic “Eye of Horus” motif. There is also a faint inscription on the rim in the form of a hieroglyphic sign that has been identified as the Egyptian word “mA,” meaning “house” or “dwelling.” The craftsmanship and iconography are unmistakably Egyptian, although the vessel’s glaze is a Roman technique, suggesting a hybrid production process.

The archaeologists believe that the vase may have been used for storing wine or olive oil, as the thermopolium specialized in the sale of those commodities. The combination of Egyptian decorative motifs and Roman ceramic technique points to a high degree of cultural blending. While Egypt had long been a major source of exotic goods for Rome, this vase is one of the few that offers direct evidence that such items were not merely imported as finished products but were actually manufactured or at least assembled on site in Italy.

The Historical Context: Egypt Meets Pompeii

The article traces back the historical pathways that could have brought an Egyptian vase to Pompeii. Egypt, after the Roman conquest in 30 BCE, became the Empire’s granary and a center of luxury trade. The Red Sea and the Nile’s riverine routes fed into the Mediterranean trade network, with goods moving through key hubs such as Alexandria, Syracuse, and Ostia. Pompeii, strategically located on the coast of the Gulf of Naples, was a major commercial center and a crossroads for traders travelling between the Italian peninsula and the wider Mediterranean.

A link in the MoneyControl article takes readers to the Wikipedia page on the Pompeii city, which provides a detailed overview of its urban layout and the importance of thermopolia. Another linked page discusses the “Egyptian diaspora in Roman society,” giving context to the presence of Egyptian goods and people in Italy. The article also references a 2022 journal piece in Journal of Roman Archaeology that analyzed the distribution of Egyptian artifacts in Italy, noting that Pompeii ranks among the top sites for such finds.

Significance for Modern Scholars

The vase’s existence offers multiple research avenues. First, it provides tangible evidence that Egyptian motifs were not just the realm of the elite but were integrated into everyday commercial spaces. The use of Egyptian symbols in a local vendor’s shop suggests that merchants and consumers alike found Egyptian aesthetics appealing—perhaps as a status symbol or simply because it was exotic and visually striking.

Second, the hybrid nature of the vase raises questions about the production processes. Was the vessel originally made in Egypt and then finished or glazed in Pompeii? Or was it entirely made by Roman potters who were skilled in Egyptian styles? The answer to this could refine our understanding of the extent to which Roman workshops adopted foreign techniques.

Third, the find sheds light on the cultural dynamics in Pompeii. The city’s residents were known to be a mix of Romans, Greeks, Jews, and people from across the Empire. The presence of an Egyptian vase in a snack bar suggests that cross‑cultural interactions were embedded in the fabric of daily life, not limited to the political elite or the wealthy.

The MoneyControl article quotes Dr. Rinaldi: “The fact that this vase is found in a thermopolium rather than a private residence or a temple tells us that the cultural exchange was happening at the street level. It was part of the everyday marketplace.”

Follow‑Up and Future Research

According to the article, the team plans to carry out further analyses, including X‑ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the clay’s composition and to compare it with known Egyptian pottery. They also intend to look at the thermopolium’s layout to see whether there were other items—like amphorae, coin hoards, or personal ornaments—indicating a broader Egyptian influence.

The MoneyControl piece concludes by noting that Pompeii’s recent discoveries continue to challenge our assumptions about cultural boundaries in the Roman Empire. The Egyptian vase is a symbol of a society that was not static but constantly evolving, shaped by trade, migration, and the exchange of ideas and goods.

Takeaway

The unearthing of an Egyptian‑style vase in a Pompeii snack bar is more than a curious footnote in the annals of archaeology. It is a vivid illustration of the intricate, multilayered interactions that defined the Roman world. As we dig deeper into the city's layers, we uncover not just the remains of a once-thriving metropolis but also the stories of the countless people—Roman, Egyptian, Greek, and beyond—who lived, traded, and celebrated together under the shadow of Vesuvius. The MoneyControl article, through its detailed reporting and linked contextual information, invites us to appreciate how a single artifact can bridge continents, cultures, and centuries, reminding us that history is, at its best, a mosaic of shared human experience.