discoveries

Archaeologists Discover World’s Stalest Piece of Bread

Photo: Alexis Pantos

Today in news that probably changes our perception of human history, archaeologists in Jordan have discovered evidence of a “bread-like” artifact, no doubt whipped up by a neolithic celebrity chef, 14,000 years ago, or 4,000 years or so before the advent of agriculture.

The discovery was made in Jordan’s Black Desert, where researchers uncovered 24 flatbreads near two ancient fireplaces at a site known as Shubayqa 1. The flatbreads appear to have been made from domesticated cereal grains (wild einkorn) and club-rush tubers. Somewhere, a Paleo-diet enthusiast just fainted.

Until now, bread-making was thought to have originated in southwest Asia and Europe during the late neolithic period, growing in popularity around the same time humans settled down and began farming. In this case, researchers believe the Natufian hunter-gatherers at the Jordanian site went through the laborious task of baking bread to honor important guests or impress hosts. So, not much has changed in 14,400 years.

Archaeologists Discover World’s Stalest Piece of Bread