In the ancient ruins of Pompeii, time feels eerily still. After the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, streets, houses and small shops remained frozen. Of the many finds scattered throughout the site, one of the most puzzling is a set of ceramic jars built directly onto the stone counter inside a Roman tavern. Archaeologists have studied them for decades, but their purpose remains unclear. The jars do exist, but their stories are out of reach. This uncertainty makes them one of the quieter mysteries of daily life in Rome.Now, new research using advanced scanning technology is beginning to change the way these objects are understood. The answer is still incomplete, but the details revealed are starting to reshape long-held assumptions. The findings suggest the jars may tell more about Roman craftsmanship and everyday trade than previously thought.
The mystery of Pompeii’s wine cabinet and its built-in jars that have been preserved for nearly 2,000 years
In Pompeii, archaeologists have discovered more than 150 tavern-style buildings, known as “tabernae.” These are simple one-room shops that serve food and drink to locals and tourists. Many of these spaces include ceramic jars permanently affixed to stone counters. These jars vary in size and shape. Some are tall and narrow, reaching nearly three feet in height. Others are shorter and more rounded. They are not removable and they were apparently built as part of the structure itself rather than being added later.For years, researchers could only examine them visually. Opening them was never an option as it would destroy the vessel and its archaeological context. As a result, their purpose remains uncertain. Scholars have debated whether they stored food, liquids or something else entirely. No single explanation has been proven.
3D scans of Pompeii jars reveal Roman craftsmanship
A recent study published in Archaeological Methods and Theory used non-invasive scanning technology to study the jars. Rather than physically touching or removing them, the researchers used a handheld light scanner to capture their internal structures. The team analyzed around 40 jars from 14 different pubs. They then created detailed 3D models based on the scans. These models allowed them to study the internal shape, arrangement and structural consistency of each ship.The results showed that the jars were likely made using a slowly turning pottery wheel. The process is not entirely industrial, but it is not entirely handmade in the free sense either. This appears to be a controlled approach that still allows for minor variations during production.
How ancient potters made jars using layered, staged techniques
It can be inferred from the analysis that the making process of ancient pottery was carried out step by step. They will make a section of the container, stop, add new material, and then continue the process. This results in tiny misalignments in the various parts of each jar. Some jars show a high degree of consistency in structure, while others do not. This means that several workshops or potters were involved in making them. In some cases, jars from different taverns exhibit identical shapes and structural patterns. This suggests that potters in the area had some kind of training. On the other hand, most other jars are significantly different in shape and internal structure.
What are these jars used for?
Despite all the recent discoveries about the methods for making these vessels, their original purpose has yet to be determined. Scientists are unable to determine exactly what is stored within. Some scholars believe that the contents of the jar may have been some cooked food, such as a stew. This hypothesis is more likely than any liquid since they are fixed within the counter and therefore not easy to clean.However, there is no chemical evidence to support the above hypothesis. Other possible uses for the jars are still being discussed. They can be used to store semi-solid ingredients or local food for consumption in taverns.
