Thrushes were the “fast food” of the masses in ancient Rome

[guy]

 

A new study challenges the long-held belief that thrushes were an exclusive delicacy for Roman elites. Archaeologists analyzed the remains of thrushes found in a latrine connected to a fast-food establishment (tabernae) in the ancient Roman city of Pollentia, Mallorca, which sold food and drink. The findings suggest that thrushes were widely consumed as street food, rather than being reserved for lavish banquets. The study identified 165 thrush bones among other food waste, indicating that these birds were sold for immediate consumption, likely fried in oil. Roman sources previously described thrushes as a luxury item, but the evidence from Pollentia suggests they were a common and affordable food for the urban population.

Examination of the bones revealed that almost all the sternums, or breastbones, had been intentionally cracked. During preparation, the sternums broke upon removal, as noted in the study, aligning with traditional Mediterranean cooking methods still in use today. These methods involve flattening the bird to cook it whole, much like quail. Moreover, the absence of cut or burn marks indicates that the birds were fried in oil rather than roasted, a quick cooking technique ideal for street vendors. The research concludes that this was a standard dish intended for commercial use.

 

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2025/06/thrushes-were-the-fast-food-of-romans-in-imperial-cities-not-an-exclusive-delicacy-for-banquets/#

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3416

 

 

Edited Friday at 10:42 PM by guy

[guidoLaMoto]

165 little birdie carcasses accumulated over what period of time? Particularly since this example is on an island, high volume sales of thrush as a fast food would quickly lead to extirpation of the local thrush population. One has to question the circumstances that produced this cache of remains-- a common menu item, an occasional "special" or one big, special feast?

I don't know about more rustic locations, but most people in Rome itself lived in "insulae," 3-6 story apartment buildings, with each apartment (conclavium) only one room or, less often, a shared common room with two bedrooms (cubiculum) to accommodate two families. Neither had a kitchen (culina), so meals were taken at the tabernae or popinae. "Eating out" was the norm.