Bread from the VII century with an image of Jesus as a sower found in Turkey

In Turkey, archaeologists discovered five charred prosphoras (liturgical bread) from the 7th-8th centuries. One specimen preserved an image of Jesus Christ as a sower, symbolizing labor and fertility. This was reported by the governorate of Karaman.

"During excavations in Topraktepe (ancient city of Eirenopolis) in the Ermenek district, five charred bread loaves dating back to the 7th-8th centuries CE were discovered. One of these bread loaves depicts Jesus Christ and has an inscription in Greek. During epigraphic research, it was determined that the inscription contains the phrase 'With gratitude to blessed Jesus'," - the statement says.

The remaining samples have imprints in the form of a Maltese cross, indicating the bread's use in early Christian rituals. Scientists associate the scene of sowing grain with the Gospel parable of the sower and the economic activities of the community at that time.

The preservation of the findings is explained by carbonization after a fire, thanks to which the bread has survived to our days in a unique condition. Researchers plan to conduct chemical and botanical analysis to determine the composition of grains and leaven.