Archaeologists believe that, like other peoples, the ancient Slavs started their progress towards bread with dampers. Historians do not have a common opinion regarding the role of agriculture in the economic life of the Ancient Rus. An indirect indication of just how important that role was can be found in religion. Known facts about the pre-Christian religion of the Slavs indicate mostly agricultural cult. History of early Christianity in Rus confirms that the 9th and 10th century Slavs were mostly farmers. Archaeological data indicate that the types of bread crops grown in Ancient Rus were the same as in the adjacent areas. In the 5th to 9th centuries, before Kievan Rus was established, wheat, barley, and millet were widespread in the north-western and western parts. Other crops included field beans, peas, flax, and hemp. Rye, initially spring rye, also appeared. At the end of the period, winter rye also appeared. Data on the 10th century through the first half of the 13th century indicate that the set of crops remained the same and more winter rye was sown. Primary crops of the previous period (wheat and barley) lost their leading positions and now came second or third. A new crop, oats, appeared more often.

Scientists believe that in the 10th-13th centuries Russians already knew how to bake rye bread made of sourdough. The dough was made with special sourdough starters, and each family kept their own secret recipe for making that starter, which was passed on in the family, from generation to generation. In time, bread baking was no longer a household activity, now there were bakeries making bread for sale.
Bread is traditionally considered a core element of Russian cuisine.

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