Archaeologists have been left stunned after unearthing a 1,200-year-old burned bread loaf featuring an image of Jesus Christ.
The discovery was announced on Facebook on October 8 by the Karaman Governorship, situated in southern Turkey.
It is believed the blackened loaf dates back to around the 7th or 8th century AD.
The remarkable discovery was made at the Topraktepe archaeological site, which was once the ancient city of Eirenopolis.
The remarkable discovery was made at the Topraktepe archaeological site
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Four other carbonised bread loaves were uncovered by archaeologists at the site.
Photos from the dig reveal the charred, ancient loaf of bread featuring a faint depiction of Jesus Christ.
An inscription on the bread reads: “With gratitude to the Blessed Jesus.”
Officials noted the image does not follow the traditional Christ Pantocrator style, which normally shows Jesus Christ raising his right hand and is common in Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox art.
Photos from the dig reveal the charred, ancient loaf of bread featuring a faint depiction of Jesus Christ
|On the loaf, Jesus Christ is depicted as either a farmer or a sower.
Turkish officials have said the portrayal reflects “the symbolic importance of fertility and labour in the religious thought of the period".
Researchers also discovered other markings on the carbonised loaves, including one resembling the Maltese Cross.
The Karaman Governorship wrote on social media: “Specialists suggest that these finds may be examples of ‘communion bread,’ or Eucharist bread, used in early Christian rituals.
Researchers also discovered other markings on the carbonised loaves
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“The fact that the breads survived through carbonisation demonstrates exceptional preservation conditions.
“The finds are among the best-preserved examples ever identified in Anatolia.”
The discovery of the ancient loaf is one of many remarkable Christian finds in Anatolia recent years.
Last year, one of the world's oldest churches was uncovered in Armenia.
The Artaxata church was established over 1,600 years ago and coincides with the same period when Christianity arrived in Armenia.
In Turkey's Antalya region, archaeologists recently discovered a church dating back to the 5th century AD, with an inscription reading: "Only those on the righteous path may enter here".
The history of Christianity in the Anatolia region dates back to the 1st century AD, with apostles, such as Paul of Tarsus and John the Apostle, setting up communities and writing the Book of Revelation.
However, the spread of Islam caused the Christian population to sharply decline in the region.
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