Turkish chef Ulaş Tekerkaya has successfully recreated an ancient bread recipe based on a 8600-year-old loaf that was found in the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, in the Central Anatolian province of Konya.

Archaeologists unearthed the charred and spongy object during excavations in Çatalhöyük, one of the world’s oldest known cities.

Tests were then undertaken at the Science and Technology Research Centre of Necmettin Erbaken University, which confirmed the object was leavened bread that dated back to approximately 6600BC.  Grain analysis revealed it contained ingredients like peas, barley and wheat.

Ulas was inspired by the discovery, and decided to replicate the ancient loaf using grains that were primarily grown in the region.

He said after numerous attempts to make the bread, he then shaped the dough balls before baking them over a wood fire at the Meram City and Life Culture Musuem.

“Initially the bread was very hard and had a bitter taste,” Ulas said to Hurriyet Daily News.

“But after a year of experimenting, I refined the recipe to achieve a delicious and nutritious product.

“It’s truly satisfying and flavourful.”

Archaeologists announced last year they had discovered a large furnace-like structure that would likely have been used as a communal oven. Traces of vegetable and food remained inside the oven as well as the spongy object identified as bread.

According to ancientorigins.net the BITAM researchers were able to determine this was a commonly produced bread, that was small in size and likely consumed regularly by a significant portion of the 7000-10,000 people who lived in Catalhoyuk in 6600BC.