Ancient Bread Recreated in Türkiye After 5,000 Years

Archaeologists in Türkiye have revived a 5,000-year-old bread recipe after unearthing a charred loaf at the Kulluoba Bronze Age site near Eskişehir, Arab News reported. The flat, pancake-shaped bread (12cm diameter) was preserved under a 3,300 BC house threshold, likely as part of a ritual.

Analysis revealed it was made with ancient emmer wheat, lentils, and wild yeast. Since emmer no longer exists, local bakers used drought-resistant Kavilca wheat—a close relative—to recreate 300 daily loaves at Eskişehir’s municipal bakery. Priced at 50 TL ($1.28), the preservative-free bread sold out instantly.

The discovery highlights ancestral agricultural wisdom amid modern climate crises. Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce advocates reviving drought-tolerant crops like Kavilca, noting: “Our ancestors are teaching us a lesson.” The original bread is now displayed at Eskişehir Archaeological Museum.