Researchers have discovered living cold-adapted yeast inside and on the 5,300-year-old body of Ötzi the Iceman, with some strains still biologically active today.
A team from Eurac Research in Italy isolated four different yeast species from samples taken from the famous mummy’s stomach contents, skin, and meltwater. The study, published this week in the journal *Microbiome*, shows the microbes likely colonized Ötzi shortly after his death in the Ötztal Alps around 3300 B.C. and have survived in the frozen conditions ever since.
Ötzi, discovered in 1991 by hikers near the Italy-Austria border, is one of the world’s best-preserved natural mummies. Scientists successfully revived the ancient yeasts in laboratory conditions mimicking cold storage. Microbiologist Mohamed Sarhan then used one strain to create a sourdough starter. After months of experimentation, the team baked a loaf and described the result as “very, very good.”
The discovery offers rare insight into ancient human microbiomes and how microbes adapt to extreme environments. It also raises questions about mummy preservation techniques, as some yeasts appear capable of breaking down chemicals used to treat the body after discovery.
Experts say the findings could improve methods for conserving other frozen mummies and potentially lead to new applications in food science, such as cold-tolerant strains for baking or brewing.
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