Researchers Find 7,200-Year-Old Cheese In Ancient Pottery From Dalmatian Coast

[Judi Lynn]

7 September 2018, 10:26 am EDT By Diane Samson Tech Times

Ancient Mediterranean populations might have started making cheese as early as 7,200 years ago, according to a new study.

A team of researchers found traces of fatty residue inside a pottery from the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. This is the oldest evidence of cheese production in the Mediterranean and anywhere in the world.

"This pushes back cheese-making by 4,000 years," stated Sarah B. McClure, associate professor of anthropology and author of the study.

The team used carbon dating on bones or seeds recovered from two Neolithic archaeological sites — Pokrovnik and Danilo Bitinj — to identify the age of the pottery. Their findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE on Sept. 5.

More:
https://www.techtimes.com/articles/234111/20180907/researchers-find-7-200-year-old-cheese-in-ancient-pottery-from-dalmatian-coast.htm

[dchill]

1. Foodies Everywhere Fight Over First Bite

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Not impressed-- starving caveman comes across a pot of milk someone forgot about...

and it didn't kill him. Tasted better than some of the bugs and crap they had to eat back then, so they figured out how to do it.

Now, when they find the first Ritz cracker to spread it on, that will be news!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Evidence of 7,200-year-old cheese-making found on the Dalmatian Coast

A'ndrea Elyse Messer
September 5, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Analysis of fatty residue in pottery from the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia revealed evidence of fermented dairy products — soft cheeses and yogurts — from about 7,200 years ago, according to an international team of researchers.

"This pushes back cheese-making by 4,000 years," said Sarah B. McClure, associate professor of anthropology.

The presence of milk in pottery in this area is seen as early as 7,700 years ago, 500 years earlier than fermented products, said the researchers. DNA analysis of the populations in this area indicate that the adults were lactose-intolerant, but the children remained able to consume milk comfortably up to the age of ten.

"First, we have milking around, and it was probably geared for kids because it is a good source of hydration and is relatively pathogen-free," said McClure. "It wouldn't be a surprise for people to give children milk from another mammal."

More:
https://news.psu.edu/story/534928/2018/09/05/research/evidence-7200-year-old-cheese-making-found-dalmatian-coast