3,600-Year-Old Kefir Cheese Discovered in China Sheds Light on Ancient Practices

Sep 26, 2024, 10:36 AM

Archaeologists have discovered the world's oldest cheese in the Xinjiang region of China. The 3,600-year-old cheese was found smeared on the heads and necks of mummified human remains in the Xiaohe cemetery of the Tarim Basin. DNA analysis revealed that the substance is an ancient kefir cheese, providing insights into the origins of this dairy product. The discovery sheds light on ancient fermentation techniques and cultural exchange routes in the Bronze Age. Scientists have extracted DNA sequences from the bacteria in the cheese, offering a window into the past and the dietary practices of ancient Chinese civilizations.