This Week In History News, Jan. 3 – 9

Published January 8, 2021

Roman snack bar from 79 A.D. unearthed in Pompeii, last American Civil War widow dead at 101, dance floor where John the Baptist was condemned found in Jordan.

2,000-Year-Old Street Food Stand Found Frozen In Time Under Pompeii’s Volcanic Ash

Food Stand Found In Pompeii

Pompeii Archaeological Park/Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism/Luigi Spina/HandoutVibrant frescoes adorn the food stand found in the Regio V area of the Pompeii archaeological site.

Archaeologists at the Roman city of Pompeii recently uncovered the preserved remains of a 2,000-year-old snack bar, frozen in time under the ash from the volcano that wiped out the city all at once in 79 A.D.

Researchers even found the remains of a man nearby who may have been one of the stand’s owners that stayed behind during the eruption’s initial phase. Meanwhile, they also unearthed the bones of another man who may have been a thief that attempted to steal some food amid the chaos of the eruption. Archaeologists speculate that he was “surprised by the burning vapours just as he had his hand on the lid of the pot that he had just opened.”

Learn the full story behind this ancient Roman street food stand here.

The Last Known Surviving Widow Of A Civil War Veteran Just Died In Missouri

Helen Viola Jackson

FacebookJackson’s husband wanted her to collect his Union pension after he died, but she never did.

The last known widow of a Civil War soldier has just died at age 101. Helen Viola Jackson of Missouri passed away on December 16, 2020.

If this timeline seems confusing to you, you’re not alone. Remarkably, Jackson married a 93-year-old veteran in 1936 — when she was just 17 years old.

Dig deeper in this report.

Archaeologists May Have Found The Dance Floor Where John The Baptist Was Sentenced To Decapitation

Painting Of Herods Birthday

Győző VörösA 19th-century painting titled Herod’s Birthday Feast, during which, according to the Bible, John the Baptist was decapitated.

Archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the fortress where John the Baptist was said to have been executed, according to the Bible. A courtyard discovered at Machaerus in Jordan is suspected to be the place where the infamous moment took place.

The incident was also described by ancient writer Flavius Josephus, who wrote that the execution took place at Machaerus, a fort near the Dead Sea, which dates back to 90 B.C.

Read on here.

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All That's Interesting
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Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
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John Kuroski
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John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.