This ancient yeast revival shows how old microbes can still function today, useful context for a colleague interested in microbiology or food science.
Bread baked with 5,000-year-old yeast Story flow and key facts
Scientists have successfully baked sourdough bread using yeast strains extracted from Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old natural mummy discovered in the Alps. The yeast, preserved in cold conditions since his death, was revived and used in a working dough that rose within 24 hours, mimicking modern fermentation. The experiment was led by microbiologist Mohamed Sarhan at Eurac Research’s Institute for Mummy Studies, where researchers have been studying microbial life in Ötzi’s remains.
While the bread was edible and functional, Sarhan admitted it wasn’t his finest baking effort—though the microbial activity proved robust. The team now plans to collaborate with food scientists and brewers, including experts from Weihenstephan in Germany, to explore whether these ancient yeasts can be used in beer production. This could open a new window into prehistoric food practices.
The yeast likely entered Ötzi’s body shortly after death, based on genetic analysis, and only survives in cold environments. Ötzi, discovered in 1991 on the Italy-Austria border, has been a rich source of archaeological insight, including the oldest known tattoos and evidence of early human migration and diet. His death, believed to be from an arrow wound, remains one of prehistory’s most famous unresolved cases.
Facts
- Scientists baked sourdough bread using yeast strains extracted from Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old mummy.
- The yeast was revived and produced dough that rose normally within 24 hours, according to microbiologist Mohamed Sarhan of Eurac Research.
- Researchers are now exploring whether the same yeast can be used to brew beer, in collaboration with food scientists and German brewer Weihenstephan.
- Genetic analysis suggests the yeast entered Ötzi’s body shortly after death and only survives in cold conditions.
- Ötzi, discovered in 1991 on the Italy-Austria border, had 61 tattoos and likely died from an arrow wound over 5,300 years ago.
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