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Ancient bread with the face of Jesus and three more finds from around the world

By Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization
Archaeologists excavating some ruins in Turkey unearthed five loaves of Communion bread from 1,200 years ago, officials said.
Archaeologists excavating some ruins in Turkey unearthed five loaves of Communion bread from 1,200 years ago, officials said. Photo from the Karaman Governorate

The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Throughout history, cultures have left behind a trail of breadcrumbs for archaeologists to follow. New sites and artifacts are found all the time, revealing forgotten secrets of the past.

Here are some of the latest discoveries:

4,500-year-old gold and jade — from ancient Troy — discovered in Turkey. See them

Gold and jade were luxurious items in ancient Troy.
Gold and jade were luxurious items in ancient Troy. Screengrab from Mehmet Ersoy’s Facebook post

On the northwestern coast of modern-day Turkey, archaeologists uncovered a gold brooch and a piece of jade from ancient Troy, dating back 4,500 years to the Early Bronze Age. These luxury items were found during excavations between the layers of Troy I and Troy II and are considered some of the most significant findings in recent research. The artifacts will be displayed in the Troy Museum. | Published Sept. 29 | Read More |

Medieval medallions found in thrift store for $30. They were priceless artifacts

Two medallions and eight rings found at a thrift store may turn out to medieval artifacts.
Two medallions and eight rings found at a thrift store may turn out to medieval artifacts. Sam Smith Simon Fraser University

In Canada, a customer at the Thrifty Boutique discovered medieval rings and medallions listed for just $30, which turned out to be priceless artifacts. The items, believed to date back to the medieval period and possibly originating from the Western Roman Empire, are now being studied at Simon Fraser University. The discovery has sparked discussions about the ethical considerations of such finds, including concerns about potential looting. | Published Oct. 9 | Read More |

1,200-year-old Communion bread with Jesus figure design unearthed in Turkey

A 1,200-year-old loaf of Communion bread with a Jesus figure on it found at Topraktepe.
A 1,200-year-old loaf of Communion bread with a Jesus figure on it found at Topraktepe. Photo from the Karaman Governorate

Archaeologists in central Turkey unearthed 1,200-year-old Communion bread with intricate designs, including a depiction of Jesus, from the ancient city of Topraktepe. The bread, remarkably preserved, offers insights into ancient Christian rituals emphasizing agriculture and fertility. This rare find is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind from the region. | Published Oct. 10 | Read More |

Homeowner digging for bait worms finds 800-year-old silver treasures in Sweden

Some of the 800-year-old silver treasures found by a person in Stockholm county.
Some of the 800-year-old silver treasures found by a person in Stockholm county. Photo from the Stockholm County Administrative Board

In Stockholm County, Sweden, a homeowner stumbled upon a copper container filled with thousands of silver treasures while digging for bait worms. The collection, dating back at least 800 years, includes silver coins, jewelry, pearls, and beads, making it one of the largest early Middle Ages silver treasure collections found in Sweden. The discovery is still under analysis, with experts continuing to study the artifacts. | Published Oct. 14 | Read More |

This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Ancient bread with the face of Jesus and three more finds from around the world."

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