Close Archaeologists discover a thermopolium - the ancient equivalent of a fast-food eatery - in the city of Pompeii, offering insights on dining and tastes of the people at the time. The discovery marks the first time that an ancient Roman eatery of the sort was unearthed, shedding light on the establishments that were supposedly a hit before the city was buried in volcanic ash in pumice in 79 AD. (Photo: Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Bakers grinding grain in a bakery in ancient Pompeii, Italy. 'An artist 's dream in Pompeii' from The Graphic Portfolio. This engraving is from a sketch by Mr. Sydney Hall.