World's oldest cheese on mummies

  • Thread starter Evo
  • Start date
In summary, ancient Chinese mummies with European features have been found in the Taklamakan Desert, and with them, the world's oldest cheese from 1,615 BC. The cheese was vacuum-packed with the bodies and was recently analyzed to confirm its age and composition. The cemetery where the mummies were buried also features unique burial practices, including upside-down boats and phallic symbols. The discovery of these mummies and cheese provides valuable insights into the lives and customs of this ancient civilization.
  • #1
Evo
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
24,017
3,338
mummy in china.jpg
Two hundred mummies, 4,000 year old Europeans found in China. The accidental mumification is astounding.

Plenty of cheeses get better with age, but crumbs discovered on the necks and chests of Chinese mummies are now thought to be the world’s oldest vintage - although their taste may be questionable.

The cheese dates back to 1,615BC and was essentially vacuum-packed with the bodies of the mysterious Bronze Age people who were buried in the Taklamakan Desert, making it the oldest ever recovered.

While the strange discovery was made in the 1930s, scientists have only just analysed the proteins and fats in the clumps of 3,600-year-old food to reveal its age and ascertain that it is not butter or milk.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...0-year-old-Chinese-MUMMIES.html#ixzz3KFhAX4eL

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...ed-chests-3-500-year-old-Chinese-MUMMIES.html

More here
In the middle of a terrifying desert north of Tibet, Chinese archaeologists have excavated an extraordinary cemetery. Its inhabitants died almost 4,000 years ago, yet their bodies have been well preserved by the dry air.

The cemetery lies in what is now China’s northwest autonomous region of Xinjiang, yet the people have European features, with brown hair and long noses. Their remains, though lying in one of the world’s largest deserts, are buried in upside-down boats. And where tombstones might stand, declaring pious hope for some god’s mercy in the afterlife, their cemetery sports instead a vigorous forest of phallic symbols, signaling an intense interest in the pleasures or utility of procreation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/science/16archeo.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
 
Last edited:
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
How can it be cheese if it's not milk based? If it is cheese... anyone got some crackers?
 
  • #3


Wow, this is truly fascinating! It's amazing how well-preserved these bodies and their belongings are after thousands of years. I can't even imagine the taste of this 3,600-year-old cheese, but it's incredible that it's still intact. It's also interesting to see the European features of these ancient Chinese people. I wonder what their story was and how they ended up in this desert cemetery. The phallic symbols are definitely a unique aspect of their burial practices. Thanks for sharing this article!
 

FAQ: World's oldest cheese on mummies

1. What is the significance of finding the world's oldest cheese on mummies?

The discovery of cheese on mummies is significant because it provides evidence of early cheese-making practices and sheds light on the diet and food preservation methods of ancient cultures.

2. How old is the world's oldest cheese found on mummies?

The world's oldest cheese found on mummies dates back to around 3,200 years ago, making it one of the oldest known cheeses in the world.

3. Where were the mummies with the world's oldest cheese found?

The mummies with the world's oldest cheese were found in the Taklamakan Desert in western China. They were well-preserved due to the dry climate and burial practices of the ancient people.

4. How was the world's oldest cheese discovered on the mummies?

The cheese was discovered by analyzing residue from the mummies' clothing and buried food items. Scientists used advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry to identify the specific types of proteins and fats present in the cheese.

5. What type of cheese was the world's oldest cheese on mummies?

The world's oldest cheese found on mummies was a type of hard cheese made from cow's milk. It is similar to modern-day kefir, a fermented dairy product popular in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Similar threads

Writing: Input Wanted What Makes Great Lakes Earth So Geographically Unique?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Writing: Read Only What Does Great Lakes Earth Look Like from Space?
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top