The Ancient Cheese Secret: Uncovering the Mystery of the World's Oldest Dairy Delight

Deep in the Tarim Basin of northwest China, archaeologists made a groundbreaking discovery that has left the scientific community buzzing. Researchers have successfully extracted DNA from what is believed to be the world's oldest cheese, a 3,600-year-old kefir cheese. This incredible find has shed new light on the diet and culture of the ancient Xiaohe people, who lived in the region during the Bronze Age. The discovery was made in a cemetery where mummies were found with strange white substances smeared on their heads and necks. Initially, researchers thought it was some sort of ritualistic substance, but further analysis revealed that it was indeed cheese. The team extracted mitochondrial DNA from three tombs and found that it contained both cow and goat DNA.But what's even more fascinating is that the cheese contained fungal bacteria consistent with modern-day kefir grains. This allowed the team to trace the lineage of the bacteria, which surprisingly originated from both China and Russia. It was previously believed that the strain was exclusive to Russia's Caucasus Mountains. The study also revealed that the bacteria may have played a crucial role in stabilizing genetics and enhancing milk fermentation over time. This has significant implications for our understanding of ancient human life and their interactions with the world.