Yeasty Yvonne

Ancient Yeast Revived from Iceman Mummy to Bake Sourdough Bread

Published June 4, 2026

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Scientists have extracted yeast from the gut of an ancient frozen mummy and used it to bake sourdough bread. An intriguing blend of ancient methods meets modern tastes.

The Real Story

Scientists successfully extracted and revived yeast from Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy found frozen in the Alps. The yeast was used to bake a loaf of sourdough bread, combining ancient and modern practices. This remarkable culinary experiment highlighted both the resilience of ancient microbes and the innovation of contemporary science, bridging history and gastronomy.

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