World`s oldest cheese found on 3600-year-old Chinese mummies

Washington: Archaeologists have discovered the world`s oldest cheese- dating way back to 1615 BC- on the chest of Chinese mummies that are up to 3,600 years old.

According to USA Today, the cheese was found in clumps on the bodies of well-preserved mummies in China`s Small River Cemetery Number 5, the Verge reported. The location is unique, because bodies interred in the region were essentially freeze-dried, meaning their features, clothing, and culinary accompaniments are still discernible even thousands of years later. It was reported that the dry desert conditions contributed to the preservation of the mummies. Researchers identified that cheese, which was found over a series of archeological digs dating back to 2002, by using analysis of protein and fat content. They speculate that the cheese was made using a kefir starter (bacteria and yeast) which is then combined with milk. The study will be published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.