Worlds Oldest cheese found next to Mummies

October 17, 2024

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Scientists have found the world’s oldest cheese, made over 3,500 years ago, buried with mummies in China’s Tarim Basin.

This ancient cheese was discovered by archaeologists around 20 years ago and has now been identified as kefir cheese, a fermented dairy product made from cow and goat milk. Kefir cheese is similar to thick yogurt, created using special bacteria and yeast.

Researchers say this discovery provides a rare glimpse into the diet of people from the Bronze Age.

Remarkably, the same microorganisms used to make this cheese are still in use today! The study of the cheese gives experts valuable insights into the foods and culture of ancient societies. One researcher, Qiaomei Fu, explained that it’s difficult to preserve foods like cheese for thousands of years, making this an exciting and important find.

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research, writing, and proofreading.
The te reo Māori version of this article was translated with AI assistance. While care has been taken to keep it accurate, if you spot anything that doesn't read quite right, please let us know

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Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

After a storm, rubbish washed onto the local beach near Ōhope. A group of students decided to help with a clean-up before the weekend visitors arrived. They collected plastic bottles, food wrappers, and broken fishing line, sorting everything into bins and recycling bags. Although the work was slower than they expected, the students noticed that the beach looked much better by the end of the morning. Their teacher said the activity was not just about tidying up; it was also about protecting wildlife and showing responsibility for the environment. The students left tired, but they were pleased that their effort would make the beach safer and cleaner for everyone.

What is the main idea of this passage?

Students organised a beach clean-up to protect the environment and improve the area. The students found many different kinds of rubbish on the beach. The teacher reminded students to sort rubbish into different bins. Weekend visitors were expected to arrive at the beach.