Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Tarim Basin of China—an unknown substance found on the head and neck of an ancient mummy has been identified as the world’s oldest cheese, dating back 3,500 years. Can you tell us more about how this incredible find came about?
Around 20 years ago, this mysterious substance was first noticed on a number of mummies from the Xiaohe cemetery in northwest China’s Tarim Basin. Recently, a study published in the journal *Cell* confirmed that it is kefir cheese, a product of microbial fermentation. This cheese, found on the mummy, was made from a blend of cow and goat milk sourced from thousands of years ago.
What can you tell us about the microbial content of this ancient cheese?
The cheese includes a mix of bacteria and fungi, such as Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens and Pichia kudriavzevii, which are also present in modern kefir grains. Researchers noted that these microbial grains represent a symbiotic blend of bacteria and yeast that work together to ferment milk into cheese.
In your view, what does this discovery reveal about human history?
Dr. Fu Qiaomei, a paleobiologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a senior author of the study, remarked, “This is the oldest cheese sample discovered to date. Foods like cheese are incredibly difficult to preserve for thousands of years, making this a rare and invaluable opportunity.” She added that studying ancient cheese could greatly enhance our understanding of our ancestors’ diets and cultural practices.
Were any significant connections found between this ancient microbe and other known strains?
Researchers determined that the kefir grains are closely linked to similar strains found in Tibet. They noted that by sequencing bacterial genes, they can trace the evolution of these probiotics over the last 3,600 years.
What conclusions can we draw about dietary practices in northwest China since the Bronze Age?
Dr. Fu highlighted that their research indicates kefir culture has been present in the Xinjiang region of northwest China since the Bronze Age. By examining these bacteria, we can learn about their development over the past 3,000 years. Furthermore, studying dairy products provides deeper insights into ancient human lifestyles, although the reason for the cheese’s presence on the mummy remains unclear.
