Neolithic Bread Wheat Identified in the South Caucasus

Archaeology Magazine ^ | May 1, 2026 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

Phys.org reports that wheat for baking bread (Triticum aestivum) may have first been grown some 8,000 years ago in Georgia. Genetic studies of modern wheat plants and wild grasses indicate that domesticated wheat and wild goat grass were mixed in the South Caucasus and the Caspian Sea region. This hybrid plant eventually became bread wheat, explained Nana Rusishvili of the Georgia National Museum and her colleagues. They examined charred grains recovered from Gadachrili Gora and Shulaveris Gora, two Neolithic village sites in Georgia. Because charred grains of bread wheat look similar to durum wheat and other wheat seeds, the team members focused on the rachis, the part of the plant stem that holds the grain to the ear of wheat. This structure is known to vary among species of wheat plants. After the team identified bread wheat rachis, they radiocarbon dated the seeds to between 5800 and 6000 B.C. "These findings provide critical empirical support for this region as a primary center of early bread wheat domestication," the researchers concluded. To read about the earliest evidence for baked goods go to "The First Bakers."

[SunkenCiv]

Wheat impression on Neolithic mudbrick, Georgia

David Lordkipanidze

[SunkenCiv]

[nwrep]

Least surprising archaeological discovery.

[SunkenCiv]

Generally, bread is not durable, so of course it’s surprising.

[SunkenCiv]

Selections from the bread and wheat keywords, sorted:

• Scientists Just Found a Tiny Genetic Switch That Could Feed Billions [10/21/2025]
• Despite self-perceived sensitivities, study finds gluten and wheat safe for many people with IBS [08/09/2025]
• The differences between American & European wheat/gluten. [02/23/2025]
• Bread and Other Edible Agents of Mental Disease [07/29/2024]
• False banana: Is Ethiopia's enset 'wondercrop' for climate change? [06/17/2024]
• UN eyes revival of millets as global grain uncertainty grows [02/08/2023]
• British scientists are growing a new strain of WHEAT that has been genetically edited to reduce levels of asparagine -- an amino acid linked to cancer when bread is toasted [09/02/2021]
• It's not the Gluten! The issues with grains making Americans sick. [03/03/2020]
• Wheat Gluten Confirmed to Promote Weight Gain [07/12/2014]
• Government Spends Money to Create Obesity Epidemic & Then Regulates Us to "Help" [07/04/2014]
• The dangers of going gluten-free [09/12/2013]
• Food Allergies Are Now A Disability Under ADA [05/03/2013]
• Gluten Alert: Many more people are gluten insensitive than is commonly believed [03/25/2012]
• Is Modern-Day Wheat Dangerous? [09/15/2011]
• Wheat's lost gene helps nutrition [11/24/2006]

[Pharmboy]

I certainly hope it’s gluten free.