Researchers discovered that mummies unearthed from a cemetery in China had remnants of cheese applied to their heads and necks. Live Science
In an astonishing discovery, researchers have identified the world’s oldest cheese smeared on the heads and necks of mummies, which dates back 3,600 years and is located in China. This remarkable find took place in the Xiaohe Cemetery in the Tarim Basin, a region in northwestern China, where several mummies were unearthed about two decades ago. The mysterious white substance that initially puzzled scientists has now been confirmed through DNA testing to be kefir cheese, a type of soft cheese known for its probiotic properties.
The latest findings were published in the journal Cell on September 25. According to the researchers, this ancient cheese was made from a mixture of cow and goat milk, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of dairy processing thousands of years ago. The cheese is not just a culinary curiosity; it offers a unique glimpse into the dietary practices of our ancestors.
The analysis revealed that the cheese contained a variety of bacterial and fungal species, including Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens and Pichia kudriavzevii. These microorganisms are still present in today’s kefir grains, which are used to ferment milk into yogurt or cheese, functioning similarly to a sourdough starter in bread-making. This connection to modern fermentation techniques underscores the continuity of food practices through the ages.
The mummies found in the Tarim Basin of China date back as much as 3,600 years. Live Science
Qiaomei Fu, a senior author of the study and a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, emphasized the significance of this discovery. “This is the oldest known cheese sample ever discovered in the world,” she stated. The preservation of food items like cheese over millennia is extremely rare, making this find invaluable for researchers aiming to understand ancient diets and cultures.
Fu further explained that studying this ancient cheese in detail could reveal insights into the diets and lifestyles of people from that era. The team discovered that the L. kefiranofaciens strains found in the cheese are closely related to those from Tibet, indicating a fascinating connection in the development of probiotic cultures over time. By sequencing the genes of these bacteria, scientists can track their evolution over the past 3,600 years.
“This observation suggests that kefir culture has been maintained in Northwestern China’s Xinjiang region since the Bronze Age,” Fu added. She noted that examining ancient dairy products could illuminate not only dietary habits but also how humans interacted with their environment.
Samples of cheese that is 3,600 years old were discovered on the mummies. Live Science
Despite this exciting discovery, the reason behind applying cheese to these mummies remains unclear. Scientists continue to ponder why individuals in this ancient culture would have been adorned with such a perishable food item.
This remarkable study not only showcases the ingenuity of ancient food preservation techniques but also emphasizes the significance of dairy in historical diets. As researchers delve deeper into this ancient cheese, they are likely to uncover even more about the lifestyles and customs of those who lived thousands of years ago.
