Bavarian Archaeologists Unearth the World's Oldest Pretzel

Posted on March 12, 2015

6-27Bavarian archaeologists have unearthed the world's oldest pretzel. The 250-year-old pretzel was excavated at a site in Regensburg, a city in Bavaria, Germany. A photo of the ancient pretzel is pictured above.

The Local reports that archaeologists also found an ancient bread roll and croissant (pictured below) at the site. The breakfast items were burned when they were baked which helped them survive for this length of time in the soil. It is speculated that the burnt baked goods were discarded by a disappointed baker.

There appears to be no doubt that this is indeed the oldest pretzel ever discovered. Silvia Codreanau-Windauer from the Bavarian Bureau for the Conservation of Historic Monuments, said in a statement, "This is definitely the oldest pretzel ever found."

The discovery is also likely the oldest knotted dough ever found in Europe. Codreanau-Windauer also told NBC News in an interview that the ancient pretzel is an "archaeological sensation." She says, "In my 30 years in the business I have never found an organic object."

A press release about the discovery (in German) can be found here.



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