Scientists Discover 1,300-Year-Old ‘Jesus Bread’ in Southern Turkey

Archaeologists working at Topraktepe, an ancient mound in southern Turkey associated with the early Byzantine city of Irenopolis, have uncovered five remarkably preserved loaves of bread dating back around 1,300 years. The discovery, believed to date to the seventh or eighth century CE, offers a rare glimpse into the devotional practices of early Christians in rural Anatolia.

One of the loaves bears a striking image of Christ depicted as a sower scattering grain, alongside a Greek inscription that reads, “With our gratitude to Blessed Jesus.” The four remaining loaves feature cross-shaped imprints, suggesting they may have been used as Eucharistic or communion bread during early Christian rituals.

According to researchers, the find provides tangible evidence of how faith was embedded in everyday life, even through basic sustenance like bread. “These 1,300-year-old breads shed new light on a fascinating chapter of early Byzantine life,” said a member of the excavation team. “They prove that piety extended beyond prayers and ceremonies, materializing in objects that carried spiritual significance to the most basic human need: bread.”

The loaves were preserved when a sudden fire carbonized them, maintaining their shape and intricate decoration. Provincial authorities described them as “among the best-preserved examples identified in Anatolia to date,” according to local outlet *Posta*.

Topraktepe—known historically as the “City of Peace”—served as an important bishopric center during the Roman and Byzantine eras. While previous discoveries at the site have included necropolises, rock-cut chambers, and fortifications, officials noted that few artifacts have conveyed such a personal expression of faith. They added that the discovery highlights the symbolic link between abundance, labor, and spirituality in the region’s religious culture.

Researchers plan to conduct chemical and botanical analyses to determine which grains and leavening agents were used and to assess whether the loaves functioned as leavened *prosphora* or as *antidoron*—bread distributed as a blessing after communion. Excavators also hope to locate a nearby chapel that might have stored the bread.

“The survival of Eucharistic bread from the seventh and eighth centuries is extremely rare,” the research team noted. “The loaves from Topraktepe offer a unique window into the devotional life of early Christians and the sacred role bread played in their worship.”