Fascinating Discovery of Ancient Christian Artifacts
Archaeologists have made an astonishing find in south-central Turkey: a 1,200-year-old piece of toasted bread featuring an image of Jesus Christ. This exciting discovery was shared by the Karaman Governorate on Facebook on October 8.
The bread dates back to either the 7th or 8th century AD. It is part of a collection of five charred breads found at the ruins of Topraktepe, an area that was once known as the ancient city of Eirenopolis.
Images from the excavation reveal the bread, which is darkened and has a faint depiction of Christ etched into its surface. Intriguingly, it also bears the inscription, “With thanksgiving to holy Jesus.”
Official reports note that this particular representation of Christ diverges from the conventional iconography typically found in Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox art, which usually portrays Him with a raised right hand.
Instead, the image shows Christ as a sower or farmer, symbolizing the significance of fertility and labor in the religious context of that era, according to officials.
Other symbols have also been identified among the artifacts, including a Maltese cross engraved on one of the breads.
“The preservation of the bread through carbonization is remarkable,” stated the Karaman Governorate in their post. This bread is noted to be one of the best-preserved examples ever found in Anatolia.
Experts speculate that these breads might represent ‘communion bread’, used in early Christian rituals, adding yet another layer to their historical significance.
This recent find contributes to a series of intriguing archaeological discoveries related to early Christianity in the Anatolian-Caucasus area over the past year. In 2024, authorities announced the unearthing of one of the oldest Christian churches in Armenia, dating back to the 4th century when Armenia officially embraced Christianity.
Additionally, a 5th-century Christian church has been found in the ancient Lycian port town of Olympus, in Turkey’s Antalya province. It features an inscription that reads, “Only those who follow the righteous path can enter here.”
