A few years ago, in the ancient city of Çatal-Göyük, which is located on the territory of modern Turkey, archaeologists found a large furnace during excavations. Further investigation revealed traces of vegetables and food in the oven, including a strange spongy residue with a porous texture.
Archaeologists have recently determined that these remains were actually fermented bread. Research conducted at the Scientific and Technical Research and Application Center of Nejmettin Erbaken University helped establish this.
erbakan.edu.tr
"We can say that this find in Çatal-Göyük is the oldest bread in the world. Taking into account observations, analyzes and dating, we estimate that these organic remains are approximately 8,600 years old,” said an archaeologist from Anadolu University and the leader of the excavation team that found the bread.
According to the researchers, fermented bread was a fairly common product among the population of that time, although it had its own characteristics. It differed from ordinary bread in that it was not subject to the usual process of baking in an oven. Instead, it underwent fermentation, which allowed it to create a special taste and texture.
erbakan.edu.tr
Archaeologists also collected a significant amount of other organic remains near the oven. Among them were seeds of wheat, barley and peas, which indicates the variety of food products consumed by the population of that time.
The discovery of this fermentation furnace enriches the historical picture of ancient cultures, and introduces the daily everyday practices of the inhabitants of these lands.
Source: erbakan.edu.tr
