Archaeologists unearth centuries-old pretzels in Bavaria

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BERLIN — Archaeologists say two pretzels unearthed during a dig on the banks of the Danube in the German city of Regensburg could be more than 300 years old – and are little different to the doughy product available in the state’s famous beer halls today.

Dorothee Ott, spokeswoman for the Bavarian Office for Historical Conservation, said Thursday the pretzel fragments went on display this week at the Regensburg Historical Museum.

Ott says the pretzels and other baked goods found were badly burned, which is why they survived the centuries. Archaeologists believe they were discarded from a bakery that was once on the site.

Carbon dating places their creation between 1700 and 1800. Taking into account about 15 percent shrinkage, Ott says “it’s a normal pretzel, maybe a little smaller than today.”