The Oldest Cheese in the World: A 3,200-Year-Old Discovery in an Egyptian Tomb
Introduction – A Taste of the Ancient World
For thousands of years, cheese has been a staple food, cherished across cultures for its flavor, nutrition, and versatility. From ancient feasts to modern dining tables, cheese connects human civilization in surprising ways. But what if the very origins of cheese could be traced back not to Europe’s fertile pastures, but to the golden sands of Egypt?
In 2018, archaeologists made a stunning announcement: inside a tomb in Saqqara, Egypt, they had found what is believed to be the world’s oldest solid cheese, dating back 3,200 years to the 13th century BCE. This extraordinary discovery, nestled within the tomb of Ptahmes, a high-ranking Egyptian official, revealed not only the sophistication of ancient food production but also the enduring importance of dairy in human history.
The find raised profound questions: How was this cheese made? Who consumed it? And what does this tell us about the cultural and scientific advancements of the ancient Egyptians?
This blog takes you on a journey through the origins, science, cultural significance, and enduring mysteries of this remarkable 3,200-year-old cheese—the oldest ever found.
Discovery of the Cheese: Saqqara’s Tomb of Ptahmes
The cheese was unearthed in the tomb of Ptahmes, a mayor of Memphis (ancient Egypt’s capital) and high-ranking official under Pharaoh Seti I and Ramesses II. His tomb, lost for centuries, was rediscovered in 2010. Archaeologists uncovered broken jars sealed with a solidified white mass—later identified as cheese.
Chemical analysis by scientists at the University of Catania in Italy confirmed the substance as cheese made from a mixture of cow, goat, and sheep milk. Even more fascinating, traces of bacteria linked to Brucellosis, a potentially deadly disease transmitted through unpasteurized dairy, were detected.
Thus, the cheese not only represented a culinary tradition but also a medical story—a reminder of the risks ancient people faced in their diets.
Cheese in Ancient Egyptian Culture
Food was never just sustenance in ancient Egypt—it was deeply tied to ritual, religion, and the afterlife. Cheese, as part of dairy, had a symbolic and nutritional role:
- Religious Offerings – Dairy products, including milk and cheese, were often left in tombs as offerings to the gods or provisions for the afterlife.
- Daily Diet – Ancient Egyptians consumed dairy regularly. Murals depict the process of milking cows and goats, as well as churning butter or producing yogurt-like products.
- Symbol of Status – Cheese, being harder to make and preserve in Egypt’s climate, may have been a delicacy reserved for elites like Ptahmes.
The presence of cheese in Ptahmes’s tomb suggests that dairy held a special symbolic meaning, ensuring the deceased official could enjoy nourishment in eternity.
The Science of the 3,200-Year-Old Cheese
What makes this discovery especially fascinating is the scientific study behind it. Researchers employed proteomic analysis—a method of identifying proteins at the molecular level.
The results revealed:
- The cheese was a hard, solidified mass rather than a soft variety.
- It was likely fermented, as unfermented milk would not have lasted long.
- It contained proteins from cow’s milk and either sheep or goat milk, indicating milk blending practices that predate modern cheesemaking traditions.
- Traces of Brucella melitensis were present, meaning people who consumed it risked contracting brucellosis, a disease causing fever and muscle pain.
This means that the world’s oldest cheese is not only a culinary artifact but also a medical time capsule, preserving evidence of ancient foodborne illnesses.
Cheesemaking in Antiquity: How Did They Do It?
Though no recipe was found alongside the cheese, historians and food scientists can piece together how ancient Egyptians may have crafted it:
- Curdling – Milk was curdled using natural acids, fig juice, or animal rennet (enzymes from calf stomachs).
- Draining – The curds were separated from the whey and pressed.
- Salting – Salt, abundant in Egypt, was used both for flavor and preservation.
- Storage – The cheese was sealed in jars to prevent spoilage.
This method mirrors ancient cheese production in Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, showing that cheesemaking was already a transcultural skill thousands of years ago.
Cheese Across Ancient Civilizations
The Egyptian find is extraordinary, but it is part of a larger story of ancient dairy culture:
- Mesopotamia – Clay tablets from 4,000 years ago mention cheese, and Sumerian art depicts milk processing.
- China – Remnants of cheese dating back 3,600 years were found in mummies from the Tarim Basin.
- Europe – Ancient Poland (5500 BCE) yielded evidence of cheese strainers, suggesting Europe was also an early hub.
What makes the Egyptian cheese unique is its preservation inside a tomb and the detailed scientific insights it provides into ancient pathogens.
Symbolism: Cheese as Food for Eternity
The placement of cheese in Ptahmes’s tomb reminds us of the Egyptian belief in the afterlife. Food offerings, from bread to wine, ensured the soul’s eternal sustenance. Cheese, being a concentrated and durable food, was a powerful symbol of nourishment.
Unlike bread, which could crumble, or fruit, which rots quickly, cheese represents preservation and endurance—perhaps why it was chosen to accompany Ptahmes into eternity.
Why This Cheese Matters
At first glance, the discovery might seem like an archaeological curiosity. But it carries profound implications:
- Historical Significance – It confirms that cheesemaking was an established craft in ancient Egypt.
- Medical Insight – It preserved evidence of brucellosis, offering data for medical history.
- Cultural Connection – It links food traditions across civilizations.
- Symbolic Value – It highlights how food was tied to spiritual beliefs and the afterlife.
The cheese is more than a relic—it is a story of survival, culture, and human ingenuity.
The Ongoing Mysteries
Despite groundbreaking research, some questions remain unanswered:
- Exact Recipe – Did Egyptians use animal rennet, plant enzymes, or simple fermentation?
- Flavor Profile – What did it taste like? Was it salty, sour, or sharp?
- Social Access – Was cheese widely available, or reserved for elite officials like Ptahmes?
- Preservation – How did it survive in Saqqara’s climate for over 3,000 years?
These mysteries make the cheese a symbol of how much we still don’t know about ancient diets.
Cheese and the Legacy of Ancient Egypt
Egyptians are best remembered for pyramids, hieroglyphs, and mummies, but this discovery proves their influence also extended to culinary innovation. Like their monumental architecture, their food traditions were carefully crafted and preserved.
Today, when we eat cheese—from Italian parmesan to French brie—we unknowingly share a link with Ptahmes and his world. Cheese connects us to a 10,000-year tradition of dairy ingenuity, and this Egyptian find anchors it firmly in the annals of history.
Conclusion – A Bite of Immortality
The discovery of the world’s oldest cheese in Egypt reminds us that even the simplest foods hold incredible stories. More than just nourishment, this cheese was a cultural artifact, a medical record, and a spiritual symbol, placed carefully to guide a powerful official into eternity.
It also proves a timeless truth: food is history. Every meal, every recipe, carries the weight of civilization. Cheese, in particular, represents survival, transformation, and the human drive to innovate.
So next time you savor a piece of cheese, remember—somewhere in the sands of Saqqara, a 3,200-year-old piece of history still whispers the story of the world’s first cheesemakers.
Key Historical Characters
- Ptahmes – Egyptian mayor and official whose tomb preserved the cheese.
- Pharaoh Seti I & Ramesses II – Rulers under whom Ptahmes served.
- Modern Archaeologists & Scientists – University of Catania team who identified the cheese.
References & Sources
- Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities reports.
- Journal Analytical Chemistry (2018 study on the cheese).
- Smithsonian Magazine coverage on the discovery.
- BBC & National Geographic reports on ancient dairy traditions.
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Reviewed by Sagar B
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August 22, 2025
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