Bread

Art Historical Context

Step into the daily life of ancient Egypt with this remarkably preserved loaf of bread, dating to around 1479–1458 B.C. during the New Kingdom's Dynasty 18. Crafted by an unknown baker, this 12 cm-long artifact—simply titled *Bread*—is a rare edible survivor from the reign of pharaohs like Hatsheut or Thutmose III. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of through the Rogers Fund in 1927, it now resides in the Egyptian Art department, bridging the gap between archaeology and everyday existence. Made primarily from emmer wheat or barley flour mixed with water and fermented naturally, the bread wa...