Ancient Communion Bread Over 1,300 Years Old Discovered, Featuring the Image of Jesus

Discovery of Ancient Bread in Turkey

Archaeologists in Turkey have found five charred pieces of bread that were likely used for communion, showcasing intricate designs related to early Christianity.

This bread is believed to date back to the 7th or 8th century AD. One piece notably features an image of Jesus as a “Sower” or “Farmer Jesus,” which differs from the traditional depictions of him as the “Messiah.” This reflects the significance of fertility and labor in the Christian perspective of that era. There’s an inscription in Greek that reads: “With thanksgiving be blessed Jesus.” Other pieces also show a Maltese cross pattern.

Experts suggest this discovery gives a rare insight into the artistry and spiritual practices of the medieval church. Interestingly, the fire that charred the bread may have also contributed to its preservation.

One archaeologist commented, “The fact that the bread was burned and still survives today highlights its extraordinary preservation.”

The site of these findings is in Topraktepe, located in Turkey’s Karaman province, part of the ancient city of Eirenopolis, which continues to reveal evidence of early Christian life. This area is situated in south-central Turkey.

Eirenopolis, or Irenopolis, was a parish in the Roman province of Isauria and has a rich Christian legacy, known to have had five bishops: John (325), Menodorus (451), Paul (458), George (692), and Eusemon (878).

According to historical records, the city was noted by the ancient writer Hierocles in the 6th century, and later by George of Cyprus in the 7th century. It appears in church documents from the 6th century compiled by Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch, and again in the 10th century Nova Tactica, which fell under the authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

“These 1,300-year-old breads reveal a fascinating chapter of early Byzantine culture,” remarked a member of the excavation team. “They show that piety was more than just expressions of worship; it was embodied in objects like bread, which fulfills a fundamental human need.”