Pompeii mural from 15-30 AD depicts pineapple and chili peppers. A mural in Pompeii dated 15-30 AD depicts a pineapple, a tropical fruit not native to the Mediterranean region A wall in Herculaneum thought to belong to a restaurant depicts red chili peppers alongside pineapples Depictions of palenta (maize-based porridge) imply the presence of maize in the Roman world
A Pompeii mural dated 15-30 AD depicts a pineapple—tropical fruit not native to the Mediterranean! A Herculaneum wall thought to belong to a restaurant shows red chili peppers alongside pineapples, plus depictions of polenta (maize porridge). Together these suggest possible transoceanic trade or contact with the Americas—perhaps through Phoenician intermediaries. 🍍🌶️
Key Facts
- A mural in Pompeii dated 15-30 AD depicts a pineapple, a tropical fruit not native to the Mediterranean region
- A wall in Herculaneum thought to belong to a restaurant depicts red chili peppers alongside pineapples
- Depictions of palenta (maize-based porridge) imply the presence of maize in the Roman world
- The combination of pineapple, chili peppers, and maize in Roman artwork suggests transoceanic trade or contact, possibly through Phoenician intermediaries
Source: The Roundtable Chronicles - Ep. 29 by Institute for Natural Philosophy