The next time you grab a snack at a sports event, take a moment to think about our ancient Roman counterparts. Ancient Romans who attended games at the Colosseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheater) enjoyed munching on fruit and other snacks while they watched gladiators and wild beasts fight. It turns out that those peanuts and hot dogs you picked up from the vendor are part of a centuries-old snacking tradition.

In 2021, archaeologists explored the iconic Roman amphitheater's sewers and hydraulic system, which fell into disuse sometime between 404 C.E., when emperor Honorius abolished gladiator games, and 523 C.E., when Romans stopped using the Colosseum for public events. The archaeologists discovered the ancient remains of Roman spectators' trash and compiled a list of snacks consumed in the Colosseum's stands and walkways.