Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in the Stone Age settlement of Çatal Hüyük in Anatolia, Turkey – the world’s oldest bread dating back about 8,600 years. The Turkish Necmett Erbakan University announced this find, stating that the bread was found in a furnace structure that was mostly destroyed. Wheat, barley, seeds, and a round, spongy residue were discovered in the oven, described as “fermented bread from the year 6600 BCE.”
This find is particularly significant as it represents a major advancement in our understanding of early human civilizations. Grain residues and signs of fermentation were also present in the bread, which had been mixed with water and flour then stored next to the oven.
Assistant professor Ali Umut Turkcan led the archaeological excavations and noted that this is an important milestone for Turkey and for science as a whole. He explained that raised bread was first discovered in Egypt but this miniature version with a fingerprint in the center suggests it was made for preservation purposes. The presence of grain residues and signs of fermentation indicate that this ancient civilization had sophisticated techniques for food preservation.
Salih Kavak, a biologist who studied the bread, called it an exciting discovery for Turkey and the world. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, Çatal Hüyük is already an important site for historians and archaeologists alike. This new discovery sheds light on yet another aspect of life within this ancient society.
