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In the Kitchen

Shown here is the stone cooking range from the House of the Vettii, along with bronze cooking vessels that were found in the kitchen of this house. Cooking took place on top of the range - the bronze pots were placed on iron braziers over a small fire.

In other houses, the pointed bases of amphorae storage jars were used instead of tripods to support vessels. Firewood was stored in the alcove beneath the range. Typical cooking vessels include cauldrons, skillets and pans, and reflect the fact that food generally was boiled rather than baked.

Not all houses in Pompeii have masonry ranges or even separate kitchens - indeed, distinct kitchen areas generally are found only in the larger houses of the town. It is likely that in many houses cooking took place on portable braziers.