Ancient yeast that lived inside the frozen body of 5,300-year-old Otzi the Iceman has been used to make "a very, very good sourdough bread.".<\/p>\n
Scientists have discovered four different types of yeast in the "brownish" water that melted inside Europe's oldest known human mummy.<\/p>\n
DNA analysis shows that the level of damage caused by this microorganism is similar to that of other microbes found in \u00d6tzi's body, suggesting that it entered his body shortly after death.<\/p>\n
\u00ab"If you tell someone you have yeast, they'll immediately ask you: can you use it to bake bread?" Professor Mohamed Sarhan of the Eurac research institute in Bolzano, Italy, told AFP.<\/p>\n
Although initial attempts were unsuccessful, after three months of experimentation, the scientists said they had created a "very, very good starter" and added that brewing was now "on the cards.". <\/p>\n
Scientists have discovered four different types of yeast inside Europe's oldest known human mummies \u2014 Andrea De Giovanni\/Eurac Research<\/p>\n
Otzi was discovered frozen in a glacier in the \u00d6tztal Alps in 1991 by two German tourists.<\/p>\n
He died after being shot in the back by an unknown assailant, in what became one of the world's oldest murder investigations.<\/p>\n
Since then, his remarkably well-preserved remains have been kept frozen at -6\u00b0C, allowing scientists to take tissue samples and meltwater that had accumulated inside the mummy.<\/p>\n
The yeast discovered is specifically adapted to cold temperatures and is commonly found in regions such as Antarctica, suggesting that it naturally adapted to the glacier in which \u00d6tzi was found.<\/p>\n
The researchers found both highly degraded ancient and well-preserved modern DNA, indicating the existence of these yeasts both in the past and today.<\/p>\n
\u00ab"We see continuity here," said Dr. Frank Meixner, director of the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research.<\/p>\n
He added: "This yeast has accompanied Otzi on his long journey for thousands of years.". <\/p>\n
\u00d6tzi, who lived 5,300 years ago, died from an arrow in the back. \u2014 ANDREA SOLERO\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Yeast wasn't the only unexpected discovery the researchers made inside the mummy.<\/p>\n
An analysis of his microbiome, the composition of his intestinal microflora, revealed a type of bacteria that is virtually absent from modern humans.<\/p>\n
Today, this product is found only among tribes in Africa and South America and provides a glimpse into the diet of ancient people, suggesting that prehistoric people consumed much more fiber and whole grains than modern representatives of industrialized civilization.<\/p>\n
Scientists also found that the methods used to preserve the mummy may have facilitated the survival of the yeast.<\/p>\n
Experts used phenol to inhibit fungal growth in the body, but it was discovered that yeast absorbs this chemical, a discovery that could prove useful. In the future, yeast could be used to break down this chemical in contaminated environments.<\/p>\n
Dr. Meixner said the study showed that the mummy was "not a static artifact, but a dynamic biological system.".<\/p>\n
However, the researchers said the yeast could interfere with the mummy's preservation and called for further research.<\/p>\n
\u00ab"The mummy's state of preservation is very stable today," said Elisabeth Vallazza, director of the South Tyrolean Archaeological Museum, which is overseeing the mummy's restoration.<\/p>\n
\u00ab"Careful microbiological monitoring ensures that the mummy will not suffer any damage, but further research and comprehensive conservation efforts are certainly necessary to ensure its long-term preservation.". <\/p>\n
\u00d6tzi's remarkably well-preserved remains were kept frozen at -6\u00b0C \u2013 South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology\/PA Wire<\/p>\n
Dr. Nikolai Oskolkov, a researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis who was not involved in the study, said it was interesting to find that "the Iceman's microbiome is not 'frozen.'".<\/p>\n
However, Dr. Oskolkov, who previously discovered ancient fungus in the mummy's intestines, cautioned that yeast samples were only taken in 2010 and 2019.<\/p>\n
This provides "very little evidence that the yeast has been growing for thousands of years," he said, adding that he believed they were "relatively recent colonists of the mummy's body.".<\/p>\n
The results of the study were published in the journal Microbiome.<\/p>\n
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