This is the oldest cheese in the world, 3,600 years old, found as a mummy’s remains

Researchers in China managed to find the oldest cheese in the world after examining several spikes buried in the Xiaohe burial area, Tarim Basin. The cheese was found as a smear on the head and neck of a mummy that was about 3,600 years old.

Before that, researchers had researched mummies in the Tarim Basin for decades. Then, they found a mummy with a mysterious substance on its head and neck.

After DNA analysis, it turned out that the substance was kefir cheese. The very old age of this cheese makes it the oldest cheese ever found in the world.

The oldest Kefir cheese in the world

Kefir cheese is a type of fermented cheese made from cow’s or goat’s milk. This cheese contains several species of bacteria, including Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens and Pichia kudriavzevii, which are also found in modern kefir grains.

According to a researcher and paleontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qiaomei Fu, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens is closely related to bacteria that originated from kefir grains in Tibet. This was known after researchers tracked the evolution of these bacteria for 3,600 years.

“Our observations show that kefir culture has been maintained in the Xinjiang region of northwest China since the Bronze Age,” Fu said in a statement. Living scienceannounced Friday (4/10/2024).

Why is cheese used as a spread on mummies?

Fu said this cheese was a rare find. Because it is very difficult to preserve food like cheese​​​​​​for thousands of years.

On the other hand, researchers are also happy because the study of ancient cheese can help scientists to better understand the diet and culture of human ancestors.

“By studying dairy products, we can get a clearer picture of early human life and interactions with the world,” Fu said, explaining the findings published in the Journal. cell on September 25, 2024.

Despite this, researchers still haven’t found out for sure how cheese was first used to cover mummies at that time. Therefore, more research is needed on this type of cheese.

(doing/doing)