- Archaeologists discovered 2,600-year-old cheese from Egypt.
- The cheese was discovered in pottery excavated from the Saqara necropolis, near Cairo.
- Evidence of cheese-making in Ancient Egypt dates back to 5,000 years.
At the Saqara Necropolis in Egypt, archaeologists found blocks of ancient cheese that date back to around 2,600 years.
Researchers identified the cheese as halloumi during excavations. The cheese was discovered inside pottery. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt.
Researchers believe the cheese is from the 26th or 27th Egyptian Dynasty, which was between 688 and 525 BC.
Excavators uncovered several artifacts with Demotic script – the ancient Egyptian writing also seen on the Rosetta Stone. According to the statement, other vessels were also discovered, but have not yet been opened.
Dr. Mustafa Waziri is the secretary general for the supreme council of archeology. He said that Ancient Egyptians called the white cheese “haram” and it was later called “halloum” in Coptic times.
Halloumi is a cheese made from goat’s and sheep milk. It has a squeaky texture.
Cheese is believed to have long been a part of the Egyptian diet, with evidence of cheese-making dating back 5,000 years to Egypt’s first dynasty.
Since 2018, the Egyptian Antiquities Mission has been excavating Saqqara’s necropolis. It contains ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty and pharaohs and the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser.
According to the ministry, previous excavations revealed eight tombs and more than 100 coffins made of wood. There were also dozens of statues of Gods.
The oldest pyramid in Egypt and the largest archeological site in Egypt are located here, 15 miles south-east of Cairo.
