Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a 3,600-year-old pot of cheese in the tomb of Ptahmes, a high-ranking official in ancient Egypt. This cheese is believed to be the oldest ever found, providing insights into the diet and culinary practices of the ancient Egyptians.
Ptahmes was a mayor of the ancient city of Memphis and lived during the 13th century BC. His tomb was first unearthed in 1885, and it wasn’t until recently that archaeologists found the pot of cheese, which had solidified and turned into a whitish substance with a strong odor. Analysis of the cheese revealed that it was made from a mixture of cow milk and sheep or goat milk.
This discovery sheds light on the advanced food technology of the ancient Egyptians, showing that they were able to produce and preserve dairy products such as cheese. It also provides valuable information about their diet and the ingredients they used in their cooking.
Cheese production dates back to around 5,500 years ago, making it one of the oldest processed food products in the world. The discovery of this 3,600-year-old cheese in Ptahmes’ tomb adds to our understanding of the culinary practices of ancient civilizations and highlights the importance of dairy products in their diet.
The findings have been published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, detailing the process of analyzing the cheese and determining its age and ingredients. This groundbreaking discovery is a testament to the importance of archaeological research in uncovering new insights into the past and preserving our cultural heritage.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com
