Ancient Chinese Mummies Discovered In Cheesy Afterlife 64
astroengine writes "The world's oldest cheese has been found on the necks and chests of perfectly preserved mummies buried in China's desert sand. Dating back as early as 1615 B.C., the lumps of yellowish organic material have provided direct evidence for the oldest known dairy fermentation method. The individuals were likely buried with the cheese so they could savor it in the afterlife. Although cheese-making is known from sites in northern Europe as early as the 6th millennium B.C. and was common in Egypt and Mesopotamia in 3rd millennium B.C., until now no remains of ancient cheeses had been found."
Re:And Modern Chinese have no Native Cheese (Score:4, Funny)
It's a cultural thing, passed down from the 17th century BCE when the mob would kidnap people who didn't pay their debts, haul them out to the desert and bury them to "sleep with the cheeses."
The "why" has been forgotten, but the distaste for cheese lingers on.