Last suppers at Sardis

Archaeological excavations at Sardis, Turkey, have uncovered nearly complete marble tabletops from three domestic rooms, offering unprecedented insights into the social dynamics of Late Antiquity dining. These furnishings reveal distinct approaches to arranging convivial meals, providing a rare glimpse into the physical and social organization of hospitality in Late Roman houses. The exceptional preservation of these artifacts suggests that the rooms were likely leveled by earthquakes in the early 7th century CE, preserving the tabletop placements in their original contexts. This discovery bridges gaps between architectural, ceramic, and furnishing studies, enriching our understanding of domestic reception areas during this transitional period.

Rautman, M. (2021). Last suppers at Sardis. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 34(2), 667–694. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1047759421000350