Conservation Completed on 1,300-Year-Old Byzantine Breads Unearthed in Turkey

Ancient Loaves Reveal Early Christian Life in Anatolia

A significant two-year conservation project has been successfully completed in Ankara, Turkey, on five remarkably preserved 1,300-year-old carbonized loaves of bread. Unearthed in 2023 in the ancient city of Eirenopolis, modern-day Topraktepe in Karaman province, these artifacts provide an extraordinary glimpse into the spiritual and cultural practices of early Christian Anatolia.

Discovery and Preservation Details

The five loaves, dating back to the 7th or 8th century CE, were discovered by archaeologists in Topraktepe, an ancient Roman and Byzantine center. Their exceptional preservation is attributed to a rare chain of events: an abrupt fire carbonized the bread, followed by low-oxygen burial and stable temperatures that kept their shapes and intricate surface details intact for over a millennium. Provincial authorities have lauded them as 'among the best-preserved examples identified in Anatolia to date'.

Symbolism and Religious Significance

Among the collection, one loaf stands out with a distinct depiction of Jesus Christ portrayed as a sower scattering grain, accompanied by a Greek inscription that translates to 'With our gratitude to Blessed Jesus'. This imagery is particularly notable as it presents Jesus as a 'Sower' or 'Farmer', an agrarian motif that differs from the more common 'Christ Pantokrator' (Ruler of All) and would have resonated deeply with the local communities whose lives were intertwined with agriculture. The other four loaves bear impressions of the Maltese cross, further reinforcing the belief that these were likely used as communion bread in early Christian rituals. Researchers suggest these finds shed new light on how piety extended beyond prayers, materializing in objects that held spiritual significance for the most basic human need: bread.

Conservation Efforts and Future Insights

The meticulous two-year conservation process, completed in Ankara, ensures the long-term stability and study of these fragile historical objects. The discovery offers invaluable insights into the daily devotion and material culture of the Byzantine era, particularly highlighting how rural worship in Anatolia remained connected to agricultural life. Experts plan further analyses, including microscopy and tomography, to identify the specific grains and baking techniques used, which could illuminate both the diet and worship practices of middle Byzantine Anatolia.