250-Year-Old Pretzels Found in Germany

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest pretzels ever found, which dates back to the 18th Century, in Germany. The charred pretzel fragments, believed to be 250-year-old, were unearthed during a large excavation on the 'Donaumarkt' in Regensburg, an area nearby the Danube which was destroyed in the 1950-60s.

They were recovered beneath a floor in a structure long known to be a bakery.

"We found the remains of two pretzels, a piece of bread shaped like a croissant and three small bread rolls," Silvia Codreanu-Windauer, of the Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites, told 'Discovery News'.

All the baked goods were totally carbonised, which is why they have been preserved for so long. "We suppose the baker forgot the pieces in the oven and afterwards he threw them away in a hole under the floor," Mr Codreanu-Windauer said.

Carbon dating showed the pastries were made between 1700 and 1800. The archeologists also found written evidence that in 1753 a baker named Johann Georg Held was living at the site.

"As far I know these are the world's oldest pretzels, although we know from 12th century miniature pictures and from a pretzel shaped fibula that these dough products were baked since the early Middle Age," Mr Codreanu-Windauer said.