This paper explores the use of food as an indicator of ancient social relations amongst households, using bread preparation in ancient Egypt as a case study. Technological information on bread making gained through a multi-stranded archaeological approach is applied to an investigation of the Amarna Workmen’s village, a short-lived Pharaonic settlement dating to about 1350 BC. The analysis demonstrates that once supplied with raw ingredients the village households were largely self-sufficient, but that specific households co-operated in the production of bread. This case study is first set into context with a discussion of the issues and problems associated with the archaeology of food. A structure is suggested to help approach this complex subject.