Pretzels have long been a staple food in Austria and southern Germany (Bavaria is in south-eastern Germany). Recently, archaeologists have unearthed a fossilized pretzel dated back to the mid-to-late 18th century. Silvia Codreanau-Windauer from the Bavarian Bureau for the Conservation of Historic Monuments confirmed that, “this is definitely the oldest pretzel ever found.”

The specimen found is a burnt piece from a traditionally styled pretzel. It was found with the charred remains of a bread roll and a croissant, suggesting that they were mistakes that were thrown out by the baker. The only reason they survived this long was due to the preservation from being burnt.

“It is an archaeological sensation,” Codreanau-Windauer told NBC News. “In my 30 years in the business I have never found an organic object.”

Most historians believe pretzels to have originated with Bavarian monks who formed the dough to look like a man’s arms crossed in prayer. This is further backed up by the use of pretzels as a “fasting food” by monks to this day. Because they are only made of flour and water, they can be eaten during lent by otherwise fasting monks.

“The Palantine Germans, later known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought pretzels to America in 1710.” ~pretzel fact by Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery

Though just as today, pretzels were enjoyed by everyone at any time of year. Street vendors were reportedly selling the twisted baked good as early as 1483. The thick, chewy crust helps preserve the bread so it doesn’t go stale as quickly as other breads making it a good travel companion.

“During The Battle of 1510 in Vienna, the Turks tunneled under Vienna’s city walls. Pretzel bakers were busy at work and detected the invasion. They gathered make-shift weapons and roused the city to defend itself. In return for shielding all of Europe, the Austrian Emperor honored the pretzel bakers with a coat of arms.”~pretzel fact by Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery

This may be the oldest pretzel ever found. One could even say it is the oldest example of twisted-bread every found. But it is not the oldest of any bread found. That honor goes to some tiny bits of burnt bread found in Oxfordshire, England estimated at 5,500 years old.