Scientists Made Sourdough Bread With Yeast Found on Ötzi the Iceman’s Mummified Body

Can yeast that survived 5,300 years on Ötzi the Iceman still make bread?This piece isn't just a quirky headline about ancient bread; it’s a delightful dive into the surprising persistence of life, even across millennia. When scientists found active yeast on Ötzi the Iceman, it opened up questions about how much of the past is still, in a very real sense, alive. It makes you wonder about the invisible ecosystems constantly at play around us, and what ancient secrets they might hold for our future, from conservation to our kitchens. It’s a wonderful reminder that history isn’t always static.Research details the diverse microbial community found on Ötzi the Iceman's 5,300-year-old mummified remains, identifying active, cold-adapted yeast strains. Some of these yeasts were successfully used to bake sourdough bread. The findings suggest Ötzi is a dynamic biological system and highlight potential applications for these ancient microbes in fermentation.Read at source: Smithsonian Magazine