The new study highlights innovative methods used by early cheese makers in Central Europe. Researchers from the University of Bristol, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle and the University of Kiel carried out over 2,000 isotope analyzes on cattle teeth, bones and fat residues found in ceramic vessels. The results show how farmers adapted their livestock farming to the densely forested landscape of Central Europe.
Under the direction of Dr. According to Dr. Rosalind Gillis from the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin, the study reveals a remarkable practice of early farmers: cattle were fed leaves collected from trees in the summer to get them through the winter. This method not only improved the health of female cows, but also increased milk production and births outside of the peak calving season in late spring. This enabled early communities to ensure a reliable milk supply even in cold winter months.
The research was carried out by a European team from research and archaeological institutions and funded by the NeoMilk Advanced ERC research project led by Professor Richard Evershed at the University of Bristol, as well as other European funding organizations.
