Bread Oven

Bread was baked on a griddle or in an oven. A bread oven could be located next to the house, inside the house in the courtyard, or close to the door.

A bread oven was made of hardened clay or brick and was shaped like a dome or a beehive. There was an opening at the top and sometimes at the side. The bottom was made of stone. Sometimes the outside of the oven was covered in shards of pottery, which provided extra insulation.

A fire was made on the bottom of the oven with dried animal dung. Once the fire had burnt out and only embers remained, thin round slabs of dough were stuck to the sides of the oven. Sometimes the ash was removed from the oven first and the dough was placed on the hot stones at the bottom of the oven. The bread was done after only a few minutes.

The oven was also used for preparing other dishes. Pans could be fitted into the opening at the top of the oven.