Archaelogists have made a shocking discovery of a 1,200-year-old burned bread loaf that has an image of Jesus Christ. The remarkable discovery was published on social media by the Karaman Governorship, located in southern Turkey, and it is believed that the ancient loaf dates back to around the 7th or 8th century AD.

Experts made the discovery at the Topraktepe archaeological site, once the ancient city of Eirenopolis. Archaelogists uncovered five carbonised bread loaves in total at the site, including the one with faint image of Jesus Christ. A message on the loaf reads: "With Thanksgiving to Blessed Jesus."

Officials highlighted that the depiction does not follow the traditional "Saviour Jesus" Pantocrator style, which is common in Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox art. But rather it shows Jesus Christ as either a farmer or sower.

According to Turkish officials, the portrayal points to "the symbolic importance of fertility and labour in the religious thought of the period".

As well as the Jesus Christ depiction, researchers found others markings, including one that resembles the Maltese Cross.

It is one of the many significant discoveries related to the Christian faith that has been made in Anatolia in recent years.

The Karaman Governorship wrote: "Experts suggest that these findings could be the 'Communion Bread' (Eucharist bread) used in liturgy during the early Christian period. The fact that the bread has become carbonated and reached our present day shows the extraordinary conditions of conservation.

"These findings are among the best-preserved examples idenitifed in Anatolia to date."

Just last year, another major Christian discovery was made in Anatolia. The Artaxata church dating over 1,600 years ago is one of the oldest churches uncovered in Armenia. It was established around the same time period Chrisitanity arrived in the country.

Additionally, in Turkey's Antayla region, archaelogists recently uncovered a church dating back to the 5th century AD, with an inscription reading: "Only those on the righteous path may enter here".

The history of the Christian faith in the Anatolia region can be dated back to the 1st century AD, with apostles Paul, Peter, and John, setting up communities and addressing the churches there.