Egyptian mummy cheese? Researchers find 2,600-year-old cheese at necropolis

The cheese was found during excavations at the Saqqara necropolis.

Montgomery's cheddar cheese (photo credit: JON SULLIVAN/PUBLIC DOMAIN/VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
Montgomery's cheddar cheese
(photo credit: JON SULLIVAN/PUBLIC DOMAIN/VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Egyptian archaeologists uncovered blocks of white cheese that are over 2,600 years old, dating back to 664-525 BCE, Egypt’s National News reported on Monday.

The report cited the Egyptian Antiquities Ministry as saying that the archaeological mission found several clay receptacles containing the cheese decorated with Demotic script, an ancient Egyptian writing form.

The mission also found other containers that are set to be opened soon.

The artifacts were found during excavations at the Saqqara necropolis.

Relief from tomb (credit: LOUVRE MUSEUM/CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)/VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
Relief from tomb (credit: LOUVRE MUSEUM/CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)/VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Other artifacts found at the Saqqara necropolis

Previous digs at the site found over 100 sarcophagi.

Last week, a new visitor’s center, the King Khufu Center, was opened at the necropolis.