The oldest bread crumbs ever known in the world

 Remains of the oldest bread

Remains of charred bread crumbs were found in the Jordan Desert, at the site of im. Shubayqa 1. Bread was (according to the results of analyzes) baked 14,000 years ago. The crumbs were 5.7 mm long, up to 4.4 mm wide and 2.5 mm thick. Until now, it was believed that the oldest bread was found in Turkey and is said to be 9000 years old, which means that the Jordanian is 5000 years older.

The bread was unleavened, similar to a roll, pita bread or chapati. It was made from wild wheat and barley flour mixed with ground plant roots. They added water to this mixture, form the dough into shape and then baked it. Archaeologists have discovered two buildings, each with a large circular stone fireplace in which charred bread crumbs were found. Bread samples analyzed under a microscope showed signs of crushing, sieving, and kneading. They probably wrapped the meat in a similar dough.

A recipe for Jordanian bread from 14,000 years ago

Make flour from wild wheat and wild barley

Mash the tubers (roots) of wild plants that grow in water (sedges or meadowsweet) to a dry pulp

Mix with water until you get a dough. Add a pinch of salt.

Bake on hot stones placed around the fire or on a stone slab

A recipe for Turkish bread from 9,000 years ago

Make flour from wheat and barley

Add ground legumes (like chickpeas and lentils)

Mix with water

Bake in the oven.

(summarized by: Prehistoric bake-off: Scientists discover the oldest evidence of bread, by Helen Briggs, BC News, July 17, 2018 – https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44846874)