Ancient Romans’ Fast-Food Shops Served Deep-Fried Songbirds 2 Millennia Ago, Study Finds

Romans Pioneered Fried Chicken as Ancient Fast Food, Study Reveals

The crispy, juicy delight of fried chicken—a global favorite today—has roots in ancient Rome, according to new research. Archaeologists discovered 2,000-year-old remains of small songbirds, deep-fried and sold as cheap snacks, in a trash pit near a Roman taberna (fast-food stall) in Pollentia, Mallorca. These thrushes, ancestors of modern poultry, were flattened and quick-fried for on-the-go customers, challenging the notion that such delicacies were reserved for the elite.

Illustration of a Roman taberna, where thrushes were fried and sold as street food.

Street Food for the Masses
Dr. Alejandro Valenzuela and his team found that thrushes were widely consumed by ordinary Romans, not just the wealthy. The skeletal remains, analyzed from a 12.5-foot-deep cesspit, showed minimal butchery marks, suggesting efficient frying methods suited for quick service. “This challenges the idea that thrushes were exclusive to elite banquets,” Valenzuela noted.

The taberna in Pollentia, active between 10 BC and AD 30, served a diverse menu. Among 3,963 remains, pork, rabbit, and fish dominated, but thrushes were the most common bird species. Their preparation—pan-fried in oil—mirrored recipes from classical texts, offering a portable meal for workers and travelers.

Remains of the Roman taberna’s cesspit, filled with food waste over decades.

A Glimpse into Roman Diets
Beyond thrushes, the site revealed bones of pigs, goats, cattle, and seafood—evidence of a bustling street-food economy. The absence of predator marks on bones highlights Roman pest-control practices. Fish and shellfish remnants also suggest the stall functioned like a modern seafood shack.

Redefining Roman Cuisine
While thrushes made up a small portion of the diet compared to livestock, their presence in a commercial context reshapes historians’ understanding. Classical texts often depicted small birds as luxury items, but Pollentia’s findings emphasize their role in everyday urban life.

The modern song thrush, similar to birds fried in ancient Rome.

Legacy of Roman Fast Food
The study, published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, underscores how Roman street vendors laid the groundwork for today’s fast-food culture. From fried snacks to seafood, these stalls catered to all social classes, proving that quick, affordable meals are no modern invention.

Valenzuela concludes, “This highlights the sophistication of Roman food economies and their lasting influence on how we eat.” So, next time you bite into fried chicken, remember: the Romans might have been the original fast-food entrepreneurs.

Pollentia’s ruins, where the fried bird remains were discovered.

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