Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in southern Turkey — five carbonized loaves of bread dating back nearly 1,300 years, one of which bears an image of Jesus Christ.
The loaves were unearthed at Topraktepe, an ancient mound believed to be the early Byzantine city of Irenopolis. One of the breads depicts Christ as a sower scattering grain, alongside a Greek inscription reading, “With our gratitude to Blessed Jesus.”
The other four loaves feature cross-shaped imprints, suggesting they were used during early Christian rituals such as the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
Researchers say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into how early Christians expressed faith through everyday objects like bread. A member of the excavation team noted,
“These 1,300-year-old loaves shed new light on Byzantine religious life. They show how spirituality permeated even the most basic human need — food.”
The loaves survived thanks to a sudden fire that carbonized them, preserving their intricate details. Local officials described the find as “one of the best-preserved examples ever found in Anatolia.”
Topraktepe, also known as the “City of Peace,” was a significant bishopric during the Roman and Byzantine eras. Archaeologists believe the breads were likely prepared for a rural congregation, where faith and farming were deeply intertwined.
A statement from provincial authorities said the find highlights “the symbolic importance of abundance and labor in the religious understanding of the period.”
The research team plans further chemical and botanical analyses to identify the grains and leavening agents used and determine whether the breads were prosphora (communion bread) or antidoron (blessed bread shared after Mass).
They also hope to locate a nearby chapel that might have housed the loaves.
“Finding Eucharistic bread from the 7th or 8th century is exceptionally rare,” the researchers concluded.
“The Topraktepe loaves provide a unique window into the sacred and daily lives of early Byzantine Christians.”
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