Beer and Moldy Cheese Remains Found in 2,700-Year-Old Feces

Researchers examining a 2,700-year-old human excrement found that Iron Age Europeans discovered that he was consuming blue cheese and beer. Thus, they discovered that the taste of our ancestors was not much different from today.

A detailed study of stool samples from the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut salt mines in Austria revealed two types of fungi: ‘Penicillium roqueforti‘ and ‘Saccharomyces cerevisiae‘ (also known as brewer’s yeast).

These two fungi are still widely used today in the production of moldy cheese and beer, and they tell historians not only about what our distant ancestors ate, but also about food and drink-making techniques. how sophisticated it is It also gives an idea.

People of Iron Age Europe consumed beer and moldy cheese.

Frank Maixner, a microbiologist at the Eurac Institute for Mummy Studies in Italy, said in a statement. “Our genome-wide analyzes show that both fungi are involved in food fermentation and that moldy cheese and beer consumption in Iron Age Europe was evident. shows the proof“ explains the situation.

Researchers think that the meals of these Europeans living in those years were rich in fiber and carbohydrates. Beans, fruits, nuts, and animal food products are likely to be their main meals, they said. In addition was used.

You may be wondering how a 2,700-year-old stool was preserved. Very specific environments are needed for the preservation of feces. Like this salt mine for example a dry cave, a frozen habitat or a desert. Let’s say that this excrement has been preserved, you can say that beer and cheese date back to the very old times of humanity, but there is a situation: The mushrooms in this stool are about people’s eating habits. gives important information.