51³Ô¹ÏÍø

KONYA, TÜRKİYE - MARCH 5, 2024: An 8,600-year-old piece of bread has been found in a structure resembling an oven in Catalhoyuk, south-central Türkiye, one of the first places in the world where urban settlement has been recorded. Located in the Cumra district of Konya, Catalhoyuk, where approximately 8,000 people lived together during the Neolithic period, a structure resembling an oven was discovered in an area known as "Space 66," characterized by adobe houses with interconnected roofs accessed from above. Near the severely damaged oven, a palm-sized artifact was found containing wheat, barley, and pea seeds, likely used for food. Analyses conducted at the Science and Technology Research and Application Center (BITAM) of Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya revealed that the spongy residue identified as leavened bread dates back to 6600 BC. Ali Umut Turkcan, Head of the Excavation Team at Anadolu University, told Anadolu that "archaeology" often brings structures, monuments, and artifacts to mind. Turkcan noted the emergence of food archaeology within modern archaeology, emphasizing Anatolia's significance, particularly Catalhoyuk. He highlighted the discovery in 2021, showcasing Turkish excavations' ability to identify organic residues through "meticulous documentation and detailed studies." He highlighted Catalhoyuk Neolithic City's importance by stating, "With meticulous documentation, we identified the small, round, spongy artifact found in the oven corner as bread. The thin clay covering preserved wood and bread, allowing all organic residues to endure. Radiocarbon tests at TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) suggested our sample could date back to around 6600 BC." (Footage by Anıl Kuru /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)