Lifeboat Foundation

Focaccia, with its flaky crust and rich olive oil flavor, is a beloved staple—but just how far back does the delicious bread’s history stretch?

While experts know it was made in ancient Rome, new research suggests that its origins may be even older: According to a recent study in the journal Scientific Reports, Neolithic communities were making their own focaccia-like bread between 7,000 and 5,000 B.C.E.

“Studying past dietary behaviors can provide valuable information about the social and cultural aspects of ancient populations,” first author Sergio Taranto, an archaeologist at UAB Barcelona, tells ZME Science’s Rupendra Brahambhatt. “This is particularly useful for studying prehistoric communities about which we have limited knowledge due to the lack of written records.”