Key facts
- Yeast was cultivated from the gut of Ötzi the Iceman.
- The yeast is over 5,300 years old.
- Scientists used the ancient yeast to bake bread.
- Scientists are exploring using the yeast for beer brewing.
Scientists have successfully revived and utilized yeast found in the digestive tract of Ötzi the Iceman, a mummy discovered in the Alps dating back over 5,300 years. The ancient yeast, preserved for millennia, was used to bake bread. This groundbreaking work provides a tangible connection to the culinary practices of prehistoric humans and demonstrates the potential for ancient microorganisms to be brought back to life for modern applications. The scientists have also added beer brewing to the list of possibly mummy-derived food and beverage items.