Ovelgönne bread roll

The Ovelgönne bread roll is a charred fragment of ancient bread discovered during excavations at a loam mine location. The piece shows the simple form and small size of bread made during that era.

Archaeologists discovered this bread in 1952 during excavations at a loam mine and dated it to between 800 and 500 BCE. The find comes from a period when people in this region were already growing and processing grain.

This bread roll shows how people baked and what they ate in ancient times. It gives a direct glimpse into the daily eating habits of a distant past.

The original and a reconstruction are on permanent display at the Archaeological Museum Hamburg in Harburg. You can view the small fragment and its recreation up close during your visit.

Examinations revealed that two metal particles were embedded in the dough, raising questions about baking methods. This discovery suggests that baking back then was not as clean and controlled as one might expect.

Location: Buxtehude

GPS coordinates: 53.44720,9.73901

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00