The oldest bread on earth has just been found, and it wasn't in my grandma's freezer. Archaeologists in Turkey just unearthed fossilized bread dating back an astounding 8,600 years!
The bread was discovered in the ancient metropolis of Çatalhöyük (a very important UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Turkey. It was found unbaked, fermented, and with the starches intact. This seriously cool finding offers a glimpse into how early humans were preparing their food.
Scientists believe the bread was made with flour and water and preserved by a layer of clay. Even though it wasn't baked, careful examination revealed microscopic air spaces and traces of fermentation chemicals inside. This means our ancestors were experimenting with bread-making techniques long before we imagined - and were probably better bakers than I am today. Archaeologists say this discovery adds to the picture of Çatalhöyük as a center of innovation, where humans were figuring out agriculture, housing, and now, bread-making!
