Thu Sep 26 14:01:25 UTC 2024: ## Ancient Cheese Discovery in China Pushes Back Origins of Dairy Production
**HONG KONG** – A 3,600-year-old coffin unearthed in northwestern China has yielded the oldest cheese ever discovered, rewriting our understanding of dairy production in East Asia. The cheese, found laid out like jewelry on the neck of a young woman, was identified as kefir cheese, a fermented milk product.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed DNA from the cheese samples, revealing insights into the lives of the Xiaohe people, who lived in the Tarim Basin desert during the Bronze Age. The cheese’s presence in the burial suggests its significance to the ancient community and its importance in their diet.
Previous research placed the origin of kefir in the northern Caucasus region, but this discovery indicates a separate spread route through inland Asia, from Xinjiang via Tibet. This finding sheds light on the interaction between Bronze Age populations and the evolution of animal husbandry in the region.
The study also uncovered evidence of the bacteria’s adaptation over time, developing resistance to antibiotics and evolving to better interact with the human immune system. The research emphasizes the intertwined evolution of human activities and microbial adaptation across millennia.
While the discovery provides fascinating insights into the past, scientists remain cautious about tasting the ancient cheese. “No way,” said Fu Qiaomei, the study’s co-author, when asked if she would try the millennia-old dairy product.
This remarkable discovery is a testament to the power of archaeology and genetic analysis in unraveling the secrets of our past. It highlights the significant role cheese played in ancient cultures and provides a glimpse into the intricate interplay between humans and microbes throughout history.
First Piper 