Ancient African Cheese Discovered

Uncovering the Roots of Dairy Consumption

More than 7,000 years ago, the African Sahara was home to a thriving dairy industry, according to a remarkable new discovery. Researchers have identified dairy fats on ancient pottery shards found in Libya, providing the first definitive evidence of early dairy farming in Africa.

The study, led by archaeological scientist Julie Dunne from the University of Bristol, adds to the growing body of research on the domestication of livestock and the use of dairy products in various parts of the world, including Europe and the Middle East. These findings suggest that the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled existence may have been driven, in part, by the remarkable caloric value and nutritional benefits of milk and dairy products.

Tracing the Origins of Dairy Farming

Fossil evidence has long indicated the arrival of domesticated milk-producers in North Africa around 8,000 years ago, with a subsequent increase in animal numbers over the next millennium. However, the details of this transition have remained elusive, with limited archaeological remains and the challenge of accurately dating rock art depicting cattle and milking scenes.

The new study, published in the journal Nature, provides a more definitive timeline. By analyzing organic residues on 81 well-dated pottery shards from the Takarkori rock shelter in the Libyan Sahara, the researchers were able to uncover clear evidence of dairy products made from cow, goat, and sheep’s milk, dating back to between 7,200 and 5,800 years ago.

Adapting to Lactose Intolerance

Interestingly, the researchers note that at the time, Africans had not yet developed the genetic mutations that allow people to digest milk. This suggests that the Sahara’s lactose-intolerant dairy farmers were likely making yogurt and cheese rather than drinking straight from the udders of their animals.

Only later, as people learned to process dairy foods, did their bodies develop the ability to drink pure milk. These genetic adaptations appear to have occurred independently multiple times in different parts of Africa, highlighting the remarkable resilience and ingenuity of these early dairy farmers.

Implications for Human Development

The discovery of this ancient dairy industry in the African Sahara adds to the growing understanding of the crucial role that milk and dairy products played in the development of human societies. As Julie Dunne aptly states, “Milk and dairying seem to be so significant in human development, remarkably so.”

By providing a remarkably calorific source of food, dairy products may have been a key factor in allowing populations to expand and transition to a more settled way of life. This study, along with others from Europe and the Middle East, underscores the profound impact that the domestication of livestock and the adoption of dairy farming had on the course of human history.

The discovery of this ancient dairy industry in the African Sahara is a significant contribution to our understanding of the origins and evolution of human societies. The ability of these early dairy farmers to adapt to lactose intolerance and develop innovative dairy processing techniques highlights the remarkable resilience and ingenuity of our ancestors. As we continue to uncover more about the past, we gain valuable insights into the factors that have shaped the course of human development.